>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.
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!! I have maintained some 500+ transmitter sites over
the past 18 years.
>#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.
Amen, Amen, Amen!!!! My experience is the same as yours!
>#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.
I use a razor type of knife and carefully slice the joint covering until I
get to the connector. From there, I cut hard to the connector surface thru
to the end. I have then pealed the covering back with great success. With
CoaxSeal, it is another story, but with DB Vapor Wrap, No Problem-O!
>#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.
As above!
>#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.
I think that ScotchKote can not handle the UV, but the experience is the
same here, one year and it looks like a sunburn peeling off!
73, K8Joe"Palooka"
K8JP, K8JP/VA2, VP5/K8JP, VP5JP, ex-K8HKM, ex-KN8HKM
Secretary, NIDXA
palooka@pyrotechnics.com
snail mail:
Joe Pontek, K8JP
P. O. Box 59573
Schaumburg, IL 60159-0573
(847) 885-8871 (home)
(847) 519-7420 (work)
(847) 619-3250 (FAX)
U.S.A.
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