Re: [DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings
What about silicone plumber's tape? If wrapped first with the silicone tape, then with the UV electrical tape, would that seal out the water? - Jim -- Jim Reisert AD1C, 7 Charlemont Court, North Chelmsford, MA 01863 USA +978-251-9933, [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.ad1c.us Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
RE: [DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings
I see no reason why Silicone tape wouldn't work. Personally I've always liked the N type connectors as where the threaded connector fits into the socket itself is sealed by virtue of a rubber sealing ring in the male connector. The cable gland itself (a pressure type cable gland) is waterproof. Some people regard use of N types connectors for shortwave as a waste, but personally I much prefer them to those truly awful PL259s. If you want to be a tad more QRO, then use 7/16s or C type. They're all dirt cheap at fleamarkets and, unlike the solder body PL259s (glorified CB connectors) it only takes a minute to desolder them and use them again, and again, and again Cheers Dave G0OIL -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Reisert AD1C Sent: 19 July 2005 12:44 To: Charles Harpole; dx-chat@njdxa.org Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings What about silicone plumber's tape? If wrapped first with the silicone tape, then with the UV electrical tape, would that seal out the water? - Jim -- Jim Reisert AD1C, 7 Charlemont Court, North Chelmsford, MA 01863 USA +978-251-9933, [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.ad1c.us Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org d Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings
Remember.condensation from the extreme changes in temperature also creates water. 73 Norm K1AA] - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Charles Harpole [EMAIL PROTECTED]; dx-chat@njdxa.org Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 10:26 PM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings I don't know why, but single, double, and triple wraps don't matter--mosture still gets in. Last week I took a 4 element 2m yagi off a 40' tower and when I tilted the boom (maybe 40 long) water came pouring out of the end. This in the Arizona desert in a location that has not seen rain in 6 months. de Paul, W8AEF in Phoenix, AZ. Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
[DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings
My blood pressure can not take another citation of the advice to wrap your coax plugs with any kind of plastic electrical tape for water sealing out-doors (again in Aug. QST ant. article by ed). I have wrapped and unwrapped exterior coax fittings for 47 years, in cold weather and hot, wet and dry. No brand of plastic electric tape will seal against water incursion. I don't know why, but single, double, and triple wraps don't matter--mosture still gets in. And, the worst thing u can do with tape is to stretch-pull the last few inches prior to sticking the last end down. The tape will eventually withdraw and become un-stuck for several inches, at least. That matter is made worse if it is stretched to breaking as a way of cutting and creating an end of the tape. And also worse if human fingers hold the end, corrupting the sticky material and lowering its holding power (but how else u gonna hold it?). Even Scotch 33 or its brand brothers will curl and become brittle in high heat condx in a few years. Cold shrinks it. Tape is just not the solution. And PLEASE do not follow Cushcraft's old instructions to squirt silicone sealant (which they sometimes supply in the new antenna box or with their Coax Boots). I have poured a few drops of water out of exterior coax fittings sealed the Cushcraft way after three years in the air. How to do it? 1. Make one wrap of good plastic electrical tape, do not stretch pull it. Then, apply Coax-Seal over the tape. Lightly wet ur fingers if the CoaxSeal sticks to fingers. Mash the stuff all around the fitting. Do not put tape over the CoaxSeal... that will push the Seal around and ruin the seal. The under layer of tape is only for keeping the Coax Seal easy to remove from the shiny coax plugs. I have a junk coax/connector/coax fitting so installed lying in the open on a junk pile here in Fla. Looked like the day I installed it 23 years ago. 1A. Alternative is to use the hugely expensive ($3. ea.) Cushcraft Vinyll Coax Boots (part number VB5) and then Coax Seal over those. These Boots are difficult to push down onto RG-8, and trimming the small hole to fit RG-8 is very difficult to get exact. Coax Seal at either end of the Boot is necessary. 2. Alternative is to use some of the shrink fit plastic tubing that has heat-activated shrink AND heat-sealing gunk inside. Very quick install with heat gun. Leave generous overlap. This stuff is new to me and I have no long term tests on it. Report later. To a good tight seal. 73 Charles Harpole [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings
I don't know why, but single, double, and triple wraps don't matter--mosture still gets in. Last week I took a 4 element 2m yagi off a 40' tower and when I tilted the boom (maybe 40 long) water came pouring out of the end. This in the Arizona desert in a location that has not seen rain in 6 months. de Paul, W8AEF in Phoenix, AZ. Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
RE: [DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings
Self amalgamating tape, covered with several layers of BLACK pvc tape for uv protection. Works every time on coax connectors. I've never had a failure yet with this stuff, even here in rainy England. The stuff usually costs around GBP 5 per roll, though I got some in Germany recently that cost the grand sum of 99 euro cents! I think Farnell.com sell it. Cheers Dave G0OIL -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 18 July 2005 03:27 To: Charles Harpole; dx-chat@njdxa.org Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] sealing coax fittings I don't know why, but single, double, and triple wraps don't matter--mosture still gets in. Last week I took a 4 element 2m yagi off a 40' tower and when I tilted the boom (maybe 40 long) water came pouring out of the end. This in the Arizona desert in a location that has not seen rain in 6 months. de Paul, W8AEF in Phoenix, AZ. Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
