Cloth Cable

The following clever method of creating a retro look was posted to the QRP-L list and is reproduced with the permission of the author, Chris K4FH.

I've always liked the look of cloth cable over plastic insulated cable. I bought a pair of head phones that had a retro look and it used a cloth cable.

I've formulated a way I can simulate the look using paracord.

1) Cut a length of paracord

2) Using the butt end of a drill bit, insert the bit into the cord and use a lighter to singe the cord.  This keeps it from unraveling.  I use the bit to keep the cord from closing up.

3)  Run as many strands of #22 stranded inside the cord as you need.  

4)  Solder those to the connector

5)  Use the strain relief in the connector to hold onto the paracord.

After you get one end done allow the cord to relax and then do the other end.  This keeps it from being bunched up.

It is not a perfect replication of look and feel.  You can hold it and tell there is wire inside and room for more wire.  In 550 there is not much room for more than 3 wires.  If you want to make something bigger
try the larger dacron used as antenna rope.

I chose the silver ends with the springs because I wanted a nice look. I also made a cable for my J-38.  Since one end uses terminals I used heat shrink to bind the lead wires (with terminals) to the cord and make it look nice.  

In the audio cable in the pic I used a single pair of spare wire I pulled out of some CAT-5.

With this method you can make any length you want with any number of wires you need.

73,
Chris k4fh