I feed my 160m receiving antenna with about 300 feet of RG-6, which
supplies power to an amplifier at the antenna. Recently, I started
seeing an high-resistance short across the coax (~30-50 ohms). I took a
junction apart and discovered evidence of current flowing across the
double-female, as wellas some water in the connector. I changed it out,
and also changed both connectors on the cable, and in the process
discovered that the braid and the first foil (it is quad-shield) appear
to be somewhat corroded (there is a powdery grey residue that comes
out). I reconnected the junction, and within a few days both the short
and the moisture were back. In checking out the problem, I have cut
back a couple of feet on the cable, and the grey residue is still evident.
Is water ingress a known problem with RG-6? Any particular brand known
to be better? If I'm going to replace the whole feedline I might as
well do what I can.
--
73, Pete N4ZR
The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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