Ward,
A coax pigtail technique I've used successfully for a long time is to
avoid them - use a pair of connectors. But if the pigtail is
unavoidable, I strip the coax jacket back from the edge of the braid for
perhaps 3/8", then I wrap about 3-5 turns of solid wire (like #14)
around the braid, leaving whatever free length is required. Then, I
quickly solder the coil of wire to the braid - this seals the braid from
wicking and it gives you a solid conductor to make the connection. You
could probably use the same technique for a stranded center conductor,
but I haven't tried that. Seal with RTV/tape, etc.
73,
geo - n4ua
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-
> bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ward Silver
> Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 5:54 PM
> To: Towertalk Reflector
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Sealing Pigtails - Opinions?
>
> As long as we're discussing sealing, I have a question about sealing
coax
> pigtails. Waterproofing the end of a coax pigtail can be difficult
because
> of the exposed braid and the stranded center conductor of most coax.
Both
> wick water back into the cable. I've attempted waterproofing a couple
of
> ways - I'm sure the group can suggest some improvements.
>
> Both methods assume that the jacket has been peeled back and that I
have a
> flat braid pigtail and some center insulator and exposed center
conductor
> forming the other pigtail. Furthermore, the center insulator is solid
and
> the center conductor is stranded. Ring or spade terminals are the
> preferred
> termination.
>
> Method #1 - Crimp on the terminals and solder, flooding the end of the
> wire
> and braid with solder, attempting to fill the interstrand volumes.
From
> the
> braid terminal, flood with solder back at least 1 cm. From the center
> conductor terminal, flood with solder down into the center conductor.
> Paint
> entire cable end liberally, but apolitically, with liquid electrical
tape
> up
> to the terminal. Work the goo into the strands as much as possible.
>
> Method #2 - Crimp terminal on center conductor and flood with solder
as in
> Method #1. Trim braid to about 1 cm long and solder to a solid jumper
wire
> with terminal soldered on. Now paint with the liquid electrical tape
as
> in
> Method #1.
>
> The goal of both methods is to form a relatively solid barrier to
water
> being wicked into the cable. The pigtails formed by either method can
be
> wrapped with electrical tape, if desired, but the water barrier should
not
> depend on the tape.
>
> 73, Ward N0AX
>
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