If using silicone oil or grease you do need to keep the "water glass" issue in mind.
If exposed to chlorine or phosphorus in can convert to straight silicon leaving a glass coating. Silicon oil containing contact cleaners used in a marine environment can be an issue. phosphor-bronze alloy contacts as well. Electrical arcing will do it too. A dry connector without phosphorus containing alloys and solid contact (no arcing) is ok though. Personally I use the 3m self fusing silicone tape with 3M 88 overwrap on just about anything outside. On 4/12/13 10:21 AM, Brooke Clarke wrote: > Hi: > > Water has a dielectric constant around 60 compared to plastic that just over > 2. So if water gets into the connection > there's going to be problems. > It turns out that Silicon grease has a dielectric constant very close to > plastic so filling an open RF connector with > Silicon grease prior to mating them is a great way to water proof the joint. > See Weatherproofing at > http://www.prc68.com/I/OE254.shtml > > Have Fun, > > Brooke Clarke > http://www.PRC68.com > http://www.end2partygovernment.com/2012Issues.html > > brent evers wrote: >> BTW - 3M Scotch rubber tape is regularly used in the offshore industry to >> make waterproof connections to 6000m/10,000psi. I use it on any/all >> outdoor signal (RF/Microwve antenna connectors, amphenol, etc) connectors >> as well. I cover the rubber tape with a layer of electrical tape (Super >> 88), and then a layer of scotchguard over that. >> >> Scotch rubber tape comes in both a linered (23), and liner-less (130C) >> version. I far prefer the liner-less 130c. >> >> To make sure this is time related, my two Thunderbolt antenna connectors >> are also sealed this way. >> >> Brent >> >> >> >> On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 11:16 AM, Rob Kimberley <[email protected] >>> wrote: >>> It's a very useful material, also called "Self Amalgamating Tape". >>> >>> Been using it for years for all sorts of outside cable work. >>> >>> Rob >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On >>> Behalf Of Azelio Boriani >>> Sent: 12 April 2013 14:00 >>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement >>> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Connectors >>> >>> Sorry, not neoprene but self-sealing polyisobutyl tape, very effective for >>> the outdoor antenna work**. I have recently opened a sealed connection, >>> after 10 years, and the protected connector appears as new. >>> >>> On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 2:38 PM, Azelio Boriani >>> <[email protected]>wrote: >>> >>>> I use neoprene tape to make really water tight connections for all >>>> type of connectors. >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 1:27 PM, Bob Camp <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi >>>>> >>>>> The fancy F connectors are indeed waterproof if: >>>>> >>>>> 1) You have the right cable >>>>> 2) The cable and connector match up >>>>> 3) The tool and the connector match up >>>>> >>>>> The auction sites are a great place to get samples of connectors and >>>>> tools that apparently work with no known cable . >>>>> >>>>> If you are not careful about the trim on the dielectric / positioning >>>>> , they can have issues above 1 or 2 GHz. Even a lot of care they >>>>> don't really do the job above 5 GHz. Exactly where they drop out >>>>> depends (of course) on your return loss expectations. >>>>> >>>>> Bob >>>>> >>>>> On Apr 11, 2013, at 4:21 PM, Gordon Batey <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Greetings, >>>>>> >>>>>> I have used the longitudinal compression F connectors for some time >>>>>> now >>>>> with >>>>>> several GPS units and RG-6 cable. They certainly appear to be >>>>> waterproof >>>>>> and quite sturdy. Not inexpensive but very serviceable. I found a >>>>>> kit >>>>> with >>>>>> the installation tool and connectors and separate connectors at >>>>>> LOWES >>>>> that >>>>>> does a nice job. I also found one for BNC that use the same >>>>>> principle >>>>> but >>>>>> have not used it yet. Gordon WA4FJC >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to >>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to >>>>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>>> and follow the instructions there. >>>>> >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe, go to >>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>> and follow the instructions there. >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe, go to >>> https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>> and follow the instructions there. >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >> and follow the instructions there. >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
