I would agree. If I invested >$5K in a shiny new piece of ham gear I
would not risk it to damage from moisture. Besides, I would want to
admire it every time I sat down in the shack.
With that being said, I have a lot of equipment remotely located at
tower top or bottom. Most of my operating is VHF/UHF/mw where RF
cable losses can be astronomical. Everything at 900-MHz and up is
remote in outside enclosures (usually fiberglass). NONE are
air-tight and are open on bottom for free air exchange. I live in a
coastal, sub-arctic climate which guarantee's moist air. Temperature
changes will pull outside air into sealed compartments which have no
path to exhaust back outside. Even if you live in the desert,
temperature pumping exists (less extremely a air is drier).
I am currently in process of installing a 1000w 6m,1200w 2m, and 600w
1296 amplifiers at base of their respective antennas (towers). All
will have cooling fans with exterior air exchange (typically drawing
air thru openings in bottom of enclosure and exhausted by fans thru
separate vents (shielded from water entry).
For HF, cable loss is insignificant if they are rated for QRO; keep
it inside, warm/cool and dry.
73, Ed
Rick N6XI, writes (edited):
I would advise against putting the amp
outdoors. Even if the housing is 100% water tight forever, Murphy almost
guarantees that the first failure that causes you to want to access the
amplifier will occur during a downpour or snow storm.
73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[email protected]
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