In a message dated 15/02/05 21:20:57 GMT Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
My understanding of the place to place silicon grease is NOT upon the outside of the connector, but rather in the interface between male and female connectors. The idea is to exclude moisture pooling on the insulator between the center pin and the outer shell conductor. ---------------------------------------------- Silicon grease would only be placed on the inside of the connector, but enevitably some can be squeezed out, making it's way to the outside and in the process is transferred to your hands. Once that happens there is no way in the world that most tape adhesives or self amalgamating/self vulcanising tape would adhere to the connector or even itself for that matter. It only takes an exceeding small amount and seems impossible to remove by normal cleaning. This would be why Don, W3FPR was wisely advising caution on the amount of silicon grease used. With self amalgamating tape one has to be careful as some types are said to be attacked by UV, though did use one brand of it in waterproofing CATV connectors in the UK for a number of years without any problems. Applied the self amalgamating tape directly over the connector, then applied a layer of heavy duty plastic tape over the top for mechanical strength and protection. What one uses depends where you live and what the exposure to UV levels are. What could apply in latitudes further away from the equator would not be applicable in hotter climates. I lived for many years in the Middle East and most types of self amalgamating tape would probably not be usable there due to extremely high levels of UV. Normal plastic tape had a rather short life and such things one would use normally in cooler climates such as polypropylene rope and plastic cable ties failed very quickly. The rope was turned to dust in the space of little more than a year and plastic cable ties went brittle and snapped. Never managed to source carbon loaded cable ties, though nylon T&B Tywraps did last a few more years longer. The only sealant I have seen that seems to stand most situations is the fabric/heavy grease type of tape. This is known commonly as Denso tape in the UK and was pretty well standard on professional telecom installations for external connector sealing. Have seen a similar type used in the Middle East for the same type of installation, so presume it must be resistant to the effects of UV. This tape or a very similar type is also used on small bore natural gas lines for joint sealing and protection, so this could be another source of supply. Rather messy to use, though does give extremely good protection to external connectors over many years. Bob, G3VVT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
