I grew up in Miami, 2 miles from Biscayne Bay. The only time I saw
any significant salt spray problem was after a Hurricane blew
through, spraying the east side of trees and structures. The trees
lost their leaves on that side (strange looking), but that was about
it. There are a lot of folks with aluminum awnings and screens over
their patios and pools. Those things last many, many years without
significant problems (unless a _bad_ hurricane comes through). I
never saw any problems with my radio gear or antennas from salt or
weathering in the years I was there.
I _did_ see a tremendous boost in antenna efficiency in my vertical
antenna from having the salt water table only three feet down,
however. No radials were needed, just put up the antenna and add RF
for plenty of European DX...
As far as the Houston air is concerned, the problems were probably
more due to pollution than salty air. The large amount of
petrochemical plants in the area have really taken their toll on the
air. Southwest Louisiana, where I went to college (McNeese State) has
fewer of these plants and markedly better air to breath. Other than
that, it is the same atmosphere. Again, I had no problems there either.
Look at it this way, both places need good air conditioning to live
in. The AC units sit outside in this atmosphere with their embedded
electronic controls. They last a long time...
Now farther south (the Keys or Caribbean), its a much different story...
- Jack Brindle, W6FB. Ex WA4FIB, WB5KQJ, WN4WXF...
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