Use Scotchkoat from 3M to seal the antennas but don’t get it on you, it sticks to you as well as it does the antennas.
Any one know of any solvents that can be used to remove it?? I have some on some tools and a spot on my car upholstery (I know, I know....) Scott Scott Zimmerman Amateur Radio Call N3XCC 612 Barnett Road Boswell, PA 15531 ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Finch To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 9:46 PM Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] New DB-224 w/water cooled phasing harness??? Hello All, From what I have seen the quality is the same but I have been preaching on this board and others you can’t install a DB antenna without sealing every screw, bolt, plastic knot, connector and anything else that could leak water. Besides that you must take all connections to the harness and tighten all screws before you seal it. Once you do that the antenna may possibly outlive most people on this board. I have a DB-410 in downtown Fort Worth that I installed in 1976 and it still has flat SWR. Use Scotchkoat from 3M to seal the antennas but don’t get it on you, it sticks to you as well as it does the antennas. Paul ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steve Allred Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 7:40 PM To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] New DB-224 w/water cooled phasing harness??? YES! Recently replaced a new DB-224 that had wicked water in the molded harness section and ended up inside the connector. Upon receiving a replacement antenna, we sealed the heck out of the harness with vapor wrap before installation. This one seems to be holding up for now, for now knock on wood. The local PD did not like a water logged antenna! What happened to DB's quality? Upon inspection of the old one, it seems as though the "glue" that was suppose to be keeping the water out was not only sparsely applied but was also very brittle. Any movement of the harness would crack the glue resulting in a potential place for water to enter the harness. Steve / K6SCA kc4wdi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: We have installed several new db-224 recently. This particular antenna was inverted and has been in service less than 6 months. While doing a routine test, I noticed the ref. power was a little high. The longer the TX was up, the lower the ref. power got; which typically indicates water in a connector or cable. We found water in the connector at the center of the antenna. It DID NOT come through/around the weather seal! The harness was carefully disassembled. Water (and corrosion) was found in the molded junction above the center connection. Has anyone seen this before? Has the quality slipped that much on the new db-224's? Any feedback is greatly appreciated! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. REMEMBER - You can find it on ebaY No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1210 - Release Date: 1/5/2008 11:46 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1210 - Release Date: 1/5/2008 11:46 AM REMEMBER - You can find it on ebaY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1213 - Release Date: 1/7/2008 9:14 AM
