Responses were about evenly divided between using PVC pipe and heat
shrink tubing. N8UG (The Wireman) sent pictures of his assembled baluns
using PVC (I bought these from him as kits). N0SS sent detailed plans
and diagrams of PVC enclosures. Both were great!
Heat shrink tubing had its following as well - no enclosure for heat
build-up and possible failures (recent threads), and ease of taking
apart if needed. One suggested using heat shrink tubing with an
adhesive filler for water sealing. And several suggested double
wrapping with tape (assuming perhaps that the beads were slipped over
the primary transmission line, not on a separate piece of coax).
An interesting variation was one suggestion to use a PVC enclosure, but
wrap the beads with tape to keep them in place in case they shatter due
to heat stress.
Thanks to all who took the time to reply. I'll try the PVC enclosure
approach for mechanical protection of the beads and the teflon pigtail
they thread on. I run 100 watts, so heat shouldn't be an issue. The
real problem is that I'll be in my local hardware store this weekend
with coax fillings in my pocket looking at PVC fittings when 3C0 is on
the air - all my antennas are down - when are those roofers coming? HI
73, George VE3YV / K8HI
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