Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

[TowerTalk] Cleaning/referb of antennas

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Cleaning/referb of antennas
From: kb9mci@qsl.net (Bryan Fields)
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 20:56:50 -0500
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

>  Ever since the '60s I have used Vaseline on all outdoor antennas.  This
>  obviously includes all nuts and bolts, but also splice connections,
>  connectors, etc.  If we ASSUME (and ensure!) that we have good mechanical
>  AND electrical connections, we can apply a liberal amount to Vaseline.  It
>  fills in seams/pores, prevents air AND water from reaching components
>  (prevents oxidation), is cheap, NEVER solidifies, and is relatively easy
> to clean up.  A drawback:  it collects dirt!  Dust and dirt will 'stick' to
> the surface of the Vaseline.  However, if good M&E connections were made
> PRIOR to applying the Vaseline, this is not a problem as this contamination
> resides on the surface.
>
>  I do not know if this material will present a problem under high power.  I
>  have used up to 200,000 mW without a problem.  I have not noticed any
>  'migration' of the Vaseline.  That is, I have not seen the Vaseline
> migrate into a good M&E connection and make it a bad connection.
>
>  Aside from the *obvious* uses, has anyone else used it for antennas??  I
>  have taken a TA-33Jr, dipoles and coax in after being outdoors for
> years... no oxidation visible after clean-up, no water/moisture in coax,
> nuts and bolts operate as new...
>
>  Allright, NOW go ahead and tell me why Vaseline is the worst thing to
> use!!

Well I used it many times when Silicone grease was not available.  It does 
not work as well on bolts, but still better than nothing.  does tend to run 
out of a joint though.  


Just don't go to Wallgreens at 12 PM to grab a jar and a pack of D cells.  No 
one will belive your antenna got blown down and your flashlight is dead!

73's 
- --
Bryan Fields, KB9MCI
____________________
Caution: Keep out of reach of children.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.0.6 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org

iD8DBQE7rpLx1n1EIlKF06ARAssnAJ4xUmka1X7F//s+ZCiYEz0XhnUA0QCg2TRX
KaHH0ajmDjce5hTVBIjGuXw=
=x/Pu
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

List Sponsored by AN Wireless:  AN Wireless handles Rohn tower systems,
Trylon Titan towers, coax, hardline and more. Also check out our self
supporting towers up to 100 feet for under $1500!!  http://www.anwireless.com

-----
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>