Another trick I learned is to make 2 wraps with the adhesive in (on the work) then fold it over and make your wraps with the adhesive out as your first layer before putting the mastic/butyl tape down. This will keep the adhesive from getting all over the work, especially when wrapping coax connectors. Another suggestion is a squirt of silicone lube to keep the adhesive from sticking where you don't want it.
I love the extra-wide 33+ tape. I keep a roll hidden in my toolbox for those 7/8" to N transitions... I also have a couple of cans of ScotchKote hidden from the CARB guys, who would confiscate it if they had a chance. That stuff is so full of VOCs it's illegal, but it's the absolute best thing as that last step in waterproofing a connection that's going to be hundreds of feet up on a tower. -- John "Smokey Behr" Gleichweit FF1/EMT, CCNA, MCSE IPN-CAL023 N6FOG UP Fresno Sub MP183.5 ECV1852 List Owner x10, Moderator x9 CalEMA 51-507 http://smokeybehr.blogspot.com http://www.myspace.com/smokeybehr ----- Original Message ---- > From: Jeff DePolo <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 12:52:39 PM > Subject: RE: [Repeater-Builder] OT: Tape > > > This is my preferred method as well for sealing connector splices. However, > I do three layers each time (one layer up, down, up again of 88, then the > same of splicing tape, then again of 88). Overlap each successive wrap > about 50%. > > Always, always, always do the last wrap in each direction going UP. You > want the open ends of the spiral wraps to be down so that water can't run in > under the overlapping wraps. Although it seems obvious, I can't tell you > how many hundreds of installations I've seen done bass-ackwards. > > For linerless splicing tape, I buy Scotch 130C or Plymouth L969. > > For bigger connectors (7/8+), use something wider than normal 3/4" tapes to > help cover over the transition from the large cable's connector body down to > the smaller connector. Scotch 88, 130C, et al are available in 1" and > larger widths. > > Scotch 88T is Scotch 88 marketed toward the telephone industry and is often > found in 1" and 1-1/2" widths. > > If you do prefer to use taffy (butyl tape), do the rest of the favor and > first wrap the splice with a layer of 88 before applying the taffy. This is > known as a "courtesy wrap", and anyone who's had to cut open a connector > junction that was sealed with butyl tape knows why it's called that... > > --- Jeff WN3A > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [email protected] > > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian Raker > > Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 3:23 PM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] OT: Tape > > > > Actually, this is how I've been taught by several RF engineers to seal > > outdoor connections... a layer of Super 88, then linerless splicing > > tape (about 1/2~1 inch longer than the 88 layer), then a second layer > > of Super 88 (about 1~2 inches longer than the splicing tape layer). > > Seals up the connection well and allows for reasonably easy stripping > > of the seal in case you need to do work. > > > > -BR > > > > On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 11:53 AM, Jacob > > Suterwrote: > > > 3M Mastic tape? > > > > > > Just remember, it'll end up sticking to anything else you > > stick it to > > > *eventually*, often in ways that are quite amazing and not > > reasonably > > > removed. I suggest a layer of standard electrical tape > > between anything > > > you care about and the mastic tape layer (and another layer of > > > electrical tape outside that to keep the UV away)... > > > > > > JS > > > > > > Mike Besemer (WM4B) wrote: > > >> > > >> Hmmmm. wonder when it became 'Queer Tape'? For the 24 > > years I was in, > > >> it was F-4 tape. (Anybody who ever worked F-4's knows why!) > > >> > > >> I still work for the Air Force. I'll have to ask some of the Spark > > >> Chaser and Pointy Heads! > > >> > > >> 73, > > >> > > >> Mike > > >> > > >> WM4B > > >> > > >> *From:* [email protected] > > >> [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Kris Kirby > > >> *Sent:* Thursday, September 10, 2009 6:37 AM > > >> *To:* [email protected] > > >> *Subject:* Re: [Repeater-Builder] OT: Tape > > >> > > >> On Wed, 9 Sep 2009, Majdi S. Abbas wrote: > > >> > Self-vulcanizing rubber tape is GREAT for splices. However, you > > >> > need something to wrap it with to protect the > > rubber...and there's > > >> > where the friction tape comes in. Traditional splices were > > >> > self-vulcanizing rubber underneath friction tape for > > this reason (and > > >> > it's the reason they are all still available.) > > >> > > >> There is a type of tape used by the Air Force which is > > based on silicone > > >> which has a unique property of not sticking to hands or > > anything else > > >> except itself. I believe you stretch it a little when > > you're applying > > >> it, but once it's been applied, it is a completely single unit and > > >> cannot be unwrapped. (I tried.) > > >> > > >> The unofficial Air Force term for it is "Queer Tape," > > Times Microwave > > >> sells it in their kits for connector sealing. > > >> > > >> -- > > >> Kris Kirby, KE4AHR > > >> Disinformation Analyst > > >> > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > > Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.78/2347 - Release > > Date: 09/10/09 05:50:00 > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > >
