One more instruction from Andrew is to preheat the larger connectors
before slipping over the adhesive lined heat shrink. ie you can't get
enough heat to a bigger connector through the heat shrink without
overheating the adhesive/shrink. A PL259 won't take very long to
preheat, but it probably is a good idea to really get the adhesive to
adhere. I've noticed when removing same that there wasn't all around
adherence-no residue on parts of the body. Another benefit of heat
shrink using on the cable to PL259 body is it makes it easier to get a
tight 33/88 wrap, particularly on 8X size coax.
I've had mixed luck with the silicone self adhering tape directly as a
sealant. Moisture did wick under it. As we know there is tape and then
there is good tape. I used Scotch 70 self fusing silicone over the
SteppIR adhesive boots on my 4L as an insurance vs UV and weather and it
is in perfect shape after 4 years. $40 per 1" x 30' roll at amazon.
My belief is an adhesive seal such as 33/88/butyl is better than the
pressure seal of silicone tape. I've used Mortight caulking tape and RV
sealing tape with success but it is messy to remove since it sticks so
well. I should have started with a layer of 33 and used the Andrew
sealing technique.
Grant KZ1W
"Even free Chinese electrical tape is a bad deal."
KZ1W Ham Radio Maxims
On 5/15/2016 9:26 AM, Kevin Stover wrote:
SteppIR doesn't use butyl tape and longer on the element seams.
They use glue coated heat shrink.
On 5/15/2016 11:11 AM, Mike Ryan wrote:
This is the same stuff that STEPPIR supplies with their antennas. AND
it does work great. You can also find it in BLACK under another name,
in the plumbing department at HOME DEPOT. Sells for about $9 per
roll give or take. That being said, some guys at hamfests sell it.
Some are dealers who sell imported power cables, connectors, quick
disconnects, etc. LOOK CLOSELY...what I have seen these guys do is to
run off HALF of the roll, and sell it for the same price as found in
the stores, on eBay, or other sources. I think a roll is supposed to
have 12ft. from Rescue Tape. Sometimes it is called "Tommy Tape" or
other names. But it is a self fusing tape. Stretch it while wrapping
your connectors, etc. It really seals ll. - Mike
-----Original Message----- From: Hank Garretson
Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2016 11:19 AM
To: Tower and HF antenna construction topics.
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: PL259 Cobbectors Part 2 - Murray
W9EHQ
For outdoor waterproofing of RG-8 connections, I use Rescue Tape.
http://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Tape-RT1000201201USC-RT1000201201USCO/dp/B00AEBKYPG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1463325032&sr=8-3&keywords=rescue+tape
. For me it works like a champ. Easy on, easy off (with a gentle
razor-blade cut). After years, everything inside is bright and shiny. If
there is a downside to this stuff, I haven't found it.
73,
Hank, W6SX
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