I made the subject "heat/cold shrink" because I felt it unlikely that
many of you knew about the new "cold shrink" available for coax/hardline
cable splice waterproofing.
Andrew makes such a device, as does 3M. They are in a joint venture on
this product.
I have used it on my hardline cables and it is a much more professional
way to make waterproof connections between LDF-4/LDF-4 cables or between
other cable combinations. I also use it on the LDF-4/TypeN connections
at my tower interface box.
Essentially what it is, is a method of applying "heat shrink" quality
rubber waterpfoofing to cables/connectors without applying any heat.
Andrew has photos of the device on their home page (URL =
http://www.andrew.com) Use their SEARCH engine on: "cold shrink"
The specific URL is:
http://www.andrew.com/products/catalog/pdf/36c471.pdf
At this URL, you can download the Adobe Acrobat reader which is
necessary to view these files.
I have used the Andrew cold shrink splices successfully in a couple
amateur applications at my station. They work FB. The cost is
approximately $15 per connection/splice. But, there is no mess, no fuss,
and no distruction/"gooping-up" of the connection if it becomes
necessary to remove the waterproofing. Of course, if you do remove the
waterproofing, the $15 is lost/sunk.
Another alternative to the tape/coax seal/rubber caulk/silicone rubber
that you all have heard of over the past 50 years!! This one with NO
damage to the original connectors/cables.
73!
Bill, N3RR@EROLS.COM
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