Rob,
The fallacy in this argument is the implication that it's difficult or
even impossible to weatherproof the outside of a splice. Nothing could
be further from the truth, is spite of some failed "attempts" by some.
I'm not trying to encourage cheaping out on connectors, just trying to
shed some light....after all, even proper connectors are always
weatherproofed in commercial installs. The VERY same weatherproofing
techniques will GUARANTEE a hermetic seal on homemade connections just
the same.
Steve K8LX
Rob Atkinson wrote:
> It's because some hams get a kick out of trying to save a few bucks,
> even if it costs more time and money in the long run than doing it
> right would have from the beginning. But anyway, a makeshift splice
> may work fine for a few months or years even but if it's outside it
> will probably fail eventually unless it is somewhere in an arid desert
> region with little or no rain and humidity. For anyone determined to
> try something with brass rod, copper pipe etc., especially if you plan
> on burying the feedline, I suggest you pot the interior once you are
> done to force out any unintended air dielectric. Get a squeeze tube
> of silicone sealant, and drill two small holes in the pipe near each
> other, one to accept the silicone; the other to let air out. Fill
> the air gap until you see silicone coming out the other hole. Since
> it's for HF, two small holes should not be a problem.
>
> 73,
>
> rob / k5uj
>
>
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> I wondered if it was the money or just why else the Andrew, etc. connectors
> weren't used for making a splice. I have yet to go to a ham swap meet in the
> last 10 years or so (including Dayton) where I don't see lots of used 1/2" and
> 7/8" Heliax connectors (used) going for $2-5 each, new ones for $5-20 each. It
> seems like if you're going to go to all the trouble of using good feedline
> that
> good connectors would be used with it. Just my opinion, of course.
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