Andrew supplies a lot of Butyl in their kits so you can do more than one
connector if you use it sparingly. You can also get Butyl pretty cheap
from any tower guy. I have been using leftover rubber from their ground
kits and regular Scotch 88 tape. I like to add a coat of silicone caulk to
the outside (which does not stick well to Teflon coax) but this is
probably not necessary.
John KK9A
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] weatherproofing connectors visited.
From: "Roger (K8RI) on TT" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2017 21:38:26 -0400
I agree with Grant on PTFE. At work IIRC we had a glue and an epoxy that
would stick to Teflon. OTOH , why spend $17 and a LOT more effort/work to
weatherproof a PL259, or N connector, when "most" good old home remedies
work? Often one or two layers of 66 or 88 tape will be sufficient. I
learned long ago to cut the tape rather than pulling it apart. Remember
how difficult it can be to lift a cut end off a roll of tape? The same
holds true for wraps on connectors. Yes, I know there are those who say
water always leaks in along the tap edges, but in over 56 years, I've
never seen it. I realize I'm only one out of hundreds of thousands, but if
it works for me, why not others.
NOTE: Whether the sealant "sticks" to the connectors is far less important
than preventing water from getting into, or under the wrap. IF the ends
are properly sealed, water can't get under the whole mess.
Get hams to spend $17 to weatherproof a connector when they reuse $3.00,
PL259s? Ain't gonna happen! Many, if not most use the cheap imported
PL259s, rather than Amphenol, or the good imports to save a buck, or 50
cents. It costs me about a dollar for a weatherproofing method that has
never failed me. I see no reason to change. If I used coax larger than
LMR600, then I'd consider a different method. OTOH ham radio is about
developing alternative methods and modes. Why not experiment? Generally
we have little to lose and much to gain.
Warming the connectors before sealing is very helpful.
When it comes to lightning, nothing will offer 100% protection.
Don't forget corona. It's probably more common than lightning damage, goes
unnoticed and can melt tape, coax jackets, remove plating on connectors,
and leave brass connectors looking like they were sand blasted. It also
can cause copper to turn black.
73,
Roger (K8RI)
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