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WaterProof your Connectors!

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: WaterProof your Connectors!
From: k3lr@telerama.lm.com (k3lr)
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 17:15:20 -0400
Having been involved with DB Vapor wrap, Scotch 88 tape and
ScotchKote on hundreds on professional and amateur
antennas over the past 20 years, I would like to make 
an observation.
 
#1 Putting a wrap or two of 88 tape on the connector and
or feedline and then putting the Vapor Wrap on top
will keep water out in 75% of the installations. Why only 75%?
Well, 25% of the time air is trapped and leaves a gap. Where
there is air, there will be water.
 
#2 When Vapor Wrap is put right on the connector and then
3 wraps of 88 tape are put on top, followed by ScotchKote
(left to dry for a few hours) and 1 more wrap of 88 tape, 
our connections have been 100% waterproof. 
 
#3 I have never had trouble taking Vapor Wrap off of a connector.
It takes some practice, but you can use the wrap to stick to 
itself and it peals off.  
 
#4 I have HAD trouble taking COAX SEAL off 
any connector where a ham called me in to find out why water 
got in his coax.
 
#5 If you don't put a wrap of tape over the ScotchKote you
will find that the ScotchKote will be gone in about a 
year. The sun drys it up and allows it to flake away. 
Put a wrap of 88 tape on top and it is there for a long time.
 
73!
Tim K3LR
 
K3LR@contesting.com

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