I realize that there are many out there who are more "pure" than I and
insist on Type N even for HF. Perhaps I have just been lucky, but I have had
good luck just using good quality UHF connectors with two or three layers of
good quality vinyl tape stretched good and tight and liberally coated with
RTV. I have temperatures 0-90 F, lots of rain,snow and ice, and "full
power". No failures in ten years.
I'm a little skeptical about relying on just one layer of shrink tubing,
glue or no glue. Maybe a first layer with glue and a second layer without
the glue just for extra protection. It would sure be a lot neater than tape
and RTV! I guess that with a Type N would really be safe,.and neat, once
you got the right connector and installed it properly.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Fuller" <w2lu@rochester.rr.com>
To: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics." <towertalk@contesting.com>;
<w4lde@numail.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] N - clamp style connector
>I hear that some boaters use heatshrink tubing that has a sealer glue
>inside
> it that keeps water out.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <TexasRF@aol.com>
> To: <w4lde@numail.org>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 5:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] N - clamp style connector
>
>
>> Hi Ron, the heat shrink alone is not water tight. Your plan to use the
>> fusing tape is the very best way to seal the connectors. The fusing tape
>> of
>> coarse needs uv protection and even cheap vinyl tape will work fine for
>> that.
>>
>> 73,
>> Gerald K5GW
>>
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 3/10/2010 4:39:12 P.M. Central Standard Time,
>> w4lde@numail.org writes:
>>
>> Thanks to all that replied, I remember that I never had soldered the
>> shield and thought that was the correct method.
>>
>> I will also as many have suggested use some heat shrink for stability as
>> well as helping with water intrusion. Was planning on #33 or #88 tape
>> plus some fusion style tape to help with the final connections.
>>
>> Again thanks to everyone for your comments.
>>
>> 73 de
>> Ron W4LDE
>>
>>
>> On 3/10/2010 3:18 PM, TexasRF@aol.com wrote:
>>> Ron, the clamping ring for N connectors is nickel plated. You will turn
>> the
>>> coax to charcoal before successfully soldering the shield to it.
>>>
>>> One of the major failure modes with N connectors is having the shield
>> work
>>> loose due to pulling and twisting the cable. A short piece of heat
>>> shrink
>>> tubing over the clamping end of the connector and a couple inches of
>> the
>>> coax will provide excellent reinforcement and improved reliability.
>>>
>>> The recommended connector installation procedure has worked very well
>> for a
>>> lot of years.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Gerald K5GW
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In a message dated 3/10/2010 12:00:01 P.M. Central Standard Time,
>>> w4lde@numail.org writes:
>>>
>>> Just getting ready to install some a new beam and coax plus N style
>>> male connectors on a new tower. It's been awhile since I last used
>>> one
>>> (N style) and have reviewed via the WEB and the ARRL handbook
>>> recommended installation methods and find two different methods with
>>> respect to the barrel and shield connection.
>>>
>>> The barrel I am referring to is the small piece were the shield is
>>> folded back over and then compressed and held in place by a O-ring,
>>> washer and screw in clamp.
>>>
>>> The ARRL handbook does not call for any solder of the shield to the
>>> barrel peace but on one ham web sites recommends that the shield be
>>> soldered to the barrel insert piece and then assembled the same way as
>>> the non soldered. If I remember and it has been some time since I
>>> used
>>> N type but I believe I did not solder the shield but relied on the
>>> compression and clamp fittings to make good contact from the shield to
>>> the N fitting.
>>>
>>> Would appreciate your opinion, to SOLDER or NOT to SOLDER.
>>>
>>> 73 de
>>> Ron W4LDE
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
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