I lost one trap due to exactly this. Wood wasp got into the trap and
built his mud and saliva nest.
I've taken a bit different route. I use fine mesh plastic window
screen. The reasoning of course is that it's designed to keep out
insects. I simply place a strip of it over the holes. Several strips of
Scotch 33 tape is used (wrapped around the circumference of the trap) to
secure it. Of course one doesn't tape up the holes!
A balun I recently purchased recommended drilling 1/16" weep holes where
the water would accumulate with the balun in place. Apparently this
diameter is small enough to keep out the bigger insects which cause
trouble. Supposedly it it large enough to still allow water to escape.
73 de Brian/K3KO
On 4/9/2013 03:17, Dan Hearn wrote:
The ideal antenna drain hole would have a reasonably large diameter but
would not allow insects to enter and build nests. I believe there is a way
to accomplish this.
There is a material used in sanding pads which is springy and would allow
water to pass but not insects or debris. It is somewhat similar to steel
wool physically but is not electrically conductive as far as I can tell. I
have been using strips of it to wrap around wires into and out of metal
cabinets at the base of my towers to discourage Wasps from entering. It is
quite springy and I have noticed no deterioration over 5 or more years here
due to sun and weather conditions .
If you have a coil in a PVC cover I would drill a hole possibly 1/2 inch
or so in diameter , cement a short piece of PVC tubing into it at the
bottom maybe an inch or so long and insert some of the springy sanding pad
material into it.
None of my antennas have traps so I have not tried this. I plan to get
some of the stuff and check if it affects the inductance of a coil out of
curiosity
There are probably readers out there who know more about this material
than I do and I invite comments on this idea..
Dan, N5AR
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