> > --- In [email protected] > <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com>, "jland138" <jland...@...> > wrote: > > > > Any recommendations or best practices on weatherproofing the coax > connection to a base station antenna? > I use a layer of self vulcanizing silicone tape stretched and overlapped to spec. This is then covered with with two layers of Scotch 88 stretched to spec and overlapped half it's wide. Absolutely clean, uncreased and unwrinkled wraps are essential. A lot of people use a coating of Scotchkote, but I've not seen the value.
The beauty of this is that every joint I've done this way has been clean and dry when I've cut it open 10 days or 10 years later it peels clean and is clean and dry. I've had installs in Texas, on the coast, on Colorado mountain tops, and on platforms at sea. It just works. The weak point is that the 88 drys out after a while, but is still good for 10 years of hard UV exposure if properly applied (50% overlap, appropriate stretch, and a no-stretch 2 turn finish on clean tape. > > The Comtelco XL (or horrors! Antenex FG) series both have a drain > system at the base that need to remain open. Is it as simple as some > coax seal and avoid plugging the drain holes? > Coax seal is messy and make maintenance a rectal trauma (at best) or impossible. > > > Any recommendations on using heat shrink at the cable end of the > coax connector? Does it help, or does it eventually wind up as a > moisture reservoir? > The adhesive bearing shrink is the only real option here. POS (plain old shrink) will eventually wick moisture. You need to make sure that whatever you use remains flexible after shrinking, if not it will leak. -- mailto:[email protected] Oz POB 93167 Southlake, TX 76092 (Near DFW Airport)
