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Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding Question

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding Question
From: K8RI on TT <k8ri-on-towertalk@tm.net>
Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:21:18 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
On 3/26/2011 12:23 PM, Jim W7RY wrote:
> My experience with Duct Seal is that it has oil in it. A little hard to work
> with the tape over it.

Just let the tape overlap and stick to itself rather than the DuctSeal.

73

Roger (K8RI)

> 73
> Jim W7RY
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "K1TTT"<K1TTT@ARRL.NET>
> Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 3:45 AM
> To:<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding Question
>
>> Weatherproofing is easy and cheap... Go to local hardware store, buy a
>> couple of pounds of ductseal and some half decent electrical tape (not the
>> real expensive stuff for this).  Grab a big handful of the ductseal, mold
>> it
>> around the joint to be protected, then apply a layer of tape around it to
>> protect it from the sun and keep it in place around the joint.  Cheap,
>> works
>> fine, lasts a long time, much easier to remove than coax seal or dipped
>> rubber junk or self vulcanizing tape.
>>
>>
>> David Robbins K1TTT
>> e-mail: mailto:k1ttt@arrl.net
>> web: http://www.k1ttt.net
>> AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
>>
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: K8RI on TT [mailto:k8ri-on-towertalk@tm.net]
>>> Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 04:36
>>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Grounding Question
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/25/2011 10:42 PM, Gene Smar wrote:
>>>> Roger:
>>>>
>>>>        I understand why you might think that weatherproofing
>>> a ground clamp on
>>>> braided coax like RG-8/u might be tricky.  However, it can
>>> be done if you
>>>> apply the proper materials.
>>> I don't disagree with that, but I think the weatherproofing technique
>>> may be a bit beyond many.
>>> In my case with a 100 foot tower and with grounding normally figured
>>> about every 75 feet, I think the top and bottom of the tower is close
>>> enough.  It's also where the pig tails tie into the coax runs at the
>>> top, and into the SOR2 switching at the bottom so the bulk head
>>> connectors should be as effective as the ones shown.
>>>>        I posted some time back in 2001 about applying
>>> homemade ground clamps
>>>> to my runs of RG-213 at the top and bottom of my tower:
>>>>
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/Towertalk/2002-07/m
>> sg00698.html
>>> .  You can see photos of how Joe KC2TN followed my suggestions here:
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/Towertalk/2007-10/msg00356.html
>>> .  The trick to getting a proper seal is to use Scotch 2200 Mastic Pads
>>> to
>>> cover the clamp and to bridge the cut in the coax shield.
>> I use a Scotch mastic tape, but don't have the number handy. I also use
>> flooded heat shrink which I prefer with the bulkhead connectors as it
>> seals the threads and prevents moisture getting to the connectors.
>> Mastic tape would need to cover the entire connector to keep water away
>> from the threads.  Also the heat shrink is just a whole lot easier.
>>
>> The connectors shown in the Times Wire tutorial, or instructions are
>> quite easy to make, once you figure out now much sheet metal to use. A
>> half inch ground rod, piece of tubing, or dowel makes a good mandrel on
>> which to form the clamp. Lay the mandrel in the center of the sheet
>> metal, bend it around and form it with the "duck bill" vise grips that
>> are about 3 or 4" wide. Use a punch to make the holes for the bolts.
>> For aluminum a gasket punch will work nicely.
>>
>> I believe getting the weatherproofing done properly would be the most
>> difficult for most hams.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger (K8RI)
>>
>> <snip>
>>
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