I like 3M Scotch Temflex 2155. This is a self-fusing sealing tape similar
to rescue tape, but only $2.48 for a 22 foot roll at Home Depot, and Home
Depot is nearly everywhere.
I wrap a connection with Temflex stretched to about double its normal
length followed by a wrap of Scotch 33+ for UV protection.
Jerry, W6UV
On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 10:49 AM, Steve Sacco NN4X <nn4x@embarqmail.com>wrote:
> I strongly dislike Coax Seal, for all the reasons cited.
>
> Last week, I unwrapped a connection which consisted of a bunch of PL-259's
> and right angle connectors which I had foolishly wrapped in Coax Seal, and
> overwrapped with Scotch 88. It took a incredibly long time to get it off
> the connectors so I could even disconnect them. I found that the the Coax
> Seal had worked its way INSIDE the PL-259's under the outer shell, in
> addition to covering everything with a sticky residue that I have yet to
> find something to cut it with.
>
> I've found the above problem repeatedly as I've modified things at my
> station that I did back when I was going through my Coax Seal phase. I
> deeply regret that I went there back in the day.
>
> MUCH better are products like silicon Rescue Tape. It fuses to itself,
> forms a tight seal over the connectors, and is easily removed. You need to
> cover it with a quality electrical tape to protect it from UV, but that's
> not unreasonable.
>
> 73,
> Steve
> NN4X
> EL98jh
>
>
>
> ------------------------------**------------------------------**----------
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 14:05:00 -0400
> From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How close to salt water is close enough?
>
> On 5/18/2013 11:51 AM, K7LXC@aol.com wrote:
>
>> Products like coax seal are worth using liberally wherever it can be
>>>>
>>> applied if needed.
>>>
>>> Just make sure you never have to take it off. It's the WORST
>>> stuff in
>>> the world to get off of anything. You put in on a connector - you have
>>> to
>>> throw the connector away.
>>>
>>> Why? There is absolutely nothing electrically or mechanically wrong
>> with a connector just because it has coax seal on it.
>>
>> I use Flooded Heat Shrink tubing. The heavy 3M stuff the electrical
>> contractors use. It's lined with Hot melt glue so when it's, it's
>> really sealed. Getting it off, is not difficult., You cut it down one
>> side with a box cutter, pry up a corner and pull. Use a pair of pliers.
>> It, like coax seal may leave residue behind. Hot glue in this case,
>> rather than pieces of coax seal. I ask again, so what?
>>
>> Sure it looks crappy, but the connector underneath is clean and shiny.
>> It can be used again as if it were new and when a new coating of coax
>> seal or heat shrink is put in place it is as good as it was the first
>> time and at this point looks no different.
>>
>> The only problem is the connector may be "sticky, so either put it in a
>> baggie, plastic package or just don't drop it in the dirt.
>>
>> BTW I think Mineral spirits will clean coax seal off.
>> Even connectors wrapped with tape get sticky.
>>
>> Now you could resort to a layer of tape wrong side out, but unless done
>> well can be a source of leaks. Yah, I know many swear by it because it
>> leaves the connector shiny. You can also wrap the connection with one or
>> two layers of Saran wrap which really seals when covered with
>> "stretched" tape wound past its ends, but these are extra steps that
>> serve a only as a cosmetic. I'm a firm believer of the KISS approach
>> which is the most durable, simple, and effective.
>>
>> Then I wonder why the obsession with reusing connectors. Most hams use
>> a $3.00 PL259 if they are consciousnesses. Well, no, most use the cheap
>> stuff found at swaps instead of buying the "good stuff". That gob of
>> solder on the center connectors has ruined more female connectors than
>> just about any thing else.
>>
>> I realize there are many hams for whom purchasing a dozen PL259s is hard
>> on the budget. I know many and was there once .. no, several times
>> myself, and I would have gladly used connectors with a little coax seal
>> on them because it doesn't hurt anything except it lets others know you
>> are using a <gasp> used connector.
>>
>> Many of us gladly use, used connectors on large coax where new ones are
>> over a $100.
>>
>> But why care if some coax seal (Electrical putty) is stuck on the
>> outside of a connector? It feels icky? Just don't drop it in the dirt.
>> <:-))
>>
>>
>> End of Rant.<:-))
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger (K8RI)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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