Andrew Connector Part Deux

[ramirezk at emi.com]

 Thanks for all the responses guys! The answer is Yes.Extra 
waterproofing is needed for an absolute watertight seal. Every 
splice at my QTH is triple sealed with layers of electrical tape 
and Rubber sealing tape.(coax seal) This is the way I have 
always done it. This combo has always worked well for me. The N, 
PL-259, whatever, type connectors remain shiny and uncorroded 
when they are taken apart when sealed in this manner even after 
years of use. There was a reason I chose to leave this 
particular joint unsealed except for the Andrew connector seals. 
I don't remember why though. HI!
 I climbed the tower earlier today and took the connector apart 
from the 7/8 and am happy to say that it was bone dry with no 
corrosion internally as far as I could inspect.I reassembled and 
sealed it using the proper techniques. I can say though that 
properly installed, genuine Andrew connectors do a good job of 
keeping the moisture out. I was certain that water would have 
made its way inside after those 87 MPH winds with rain that we 
had yesterday.Extra preventive measures never hurt.Thanks to all 
who responded with their personal experiences. 73 Ken KP4XS/W4

>From Bruce Lallathin <aa8u at voyager.net>  Sat Mar 16 23:16:01 1996
From: Bruce Lallathin <aa8u at voyager.net> (Bruce Lallathin)
Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 18:16:01 -0500 (EST)
Subject: DXpedition Antennas
Message-ID: <199603162316.SAA03460 at vixa.voyager.net>

As you may have heard I will be going to ZK1 for the IARU contest in July. I
am trying to find out what would be the best type of antenna(s) to take
along. The airline will only allow a package that is 65" which is the sum of
the package dimensions. My first thought was to take along lots of wire.
I'll still do that, but I would like to mount a vertical, preferably one of
the "all-band" types on the hotel roof. The management has agreed to allow
this. The hotel has a flat roof, don't know how large, with pea stone
covering. There are trees around, but I don't know if any are high enough to
put up a decent inverted L for 160.

I got to looking through the mags and I see numerous multi band verticals. I
don't have any much experience with store bought antennas, expecially of
this type since I have always built my own. Does anyone have any advice?
Keep in mind the 65" package limitation. I see there is a new Cushcraft
R-7000+ that "looks" neat and covers some portion of each HF band from 80M
to 10M. 

If space, esthetics, and the management allows, I'll likely string up a
highline between a couple trees and put up a multi-band delta loop pointed
to the US and EU. This will likely outperform any vertical to these
locations. I could also just put up an end fed wire and add a
tunner.......yuk! Have to be prepared to do most anything I guess. My second
trip to ZK1, will be for ARRL CW in '97. By then I will know what to take
and what to leave home. 

Could only get a hotel on the Southwest side of Rarotonga this time. The
WRONG side of the island I know but we will have to make the best of it.

Ok, so what is your favorite multi-band vertical? (prefer warc included) Any
suggestions? 

We will only have about 150W, as that is the power limit on ZK1 as I
understand it.   

When I asked if I could put a vertical up on the beach, they didn't say no,
but pointed out that the roof is available......I think that was a polite
way to say no to the beach. HI  Probably don't want other guest's view of
the Pacific sunset marred by our antennas....can't say I blame them either.
If I weren't a ham I probably would object too.

Thanks in advance for your advice and helping to make the trip and the
contest activity from ZK1 a success.

73,
Bruce
AA8U ZK1AAU FP/AA8U
aa8u at voyager.net




>From John Brosnahan <broz at csn.net>  Sat Mar 16 23:31:14 1996
From: John Brosnahan <broz at csn.net> (John Brosnahan)
Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 16:31:14 -0700
Subject: Skotch-Kote, revisited (KM9P)
Message-ID: <199603162331.QAA01586 at lynx.csn.net>

>I think Scotch-Kote is a waste of time if the connection is exposed
>>to the sunlight.
>
>That's why you tape the connection twice or three times with Scotch-Kote
>between tapings.  Never had one fail, flake, or otherwise.  K4VX uses this
>meathod in Missouri (it's cold there too) with FB luck.
>
>73
>
>Bill


Sorry, Bill, I didn't make that very clear, I guess.  Scotch-Kote
is a waste of time AS AN OUTER LAYER.  The UV takes it 
off pretty quickly, but it is fine between layers--just as long as it is
protected from the sunlight.  The last layer of tape will do that,
but I just add an extra layer of stuff (Plasti-Dip) on top to protect
the whole mess.  Tends to seal the tape so there is no chance that
it will unwind (never had 88 unwind, even without it, but 33 (I was
desperate) does have that tendancy under severe (cold) weather).

Mil Spec Wire was selling a tape that is called 088, I believe.  I
bought a case of it a few years ago and it was just as good
as the Scotch 88 or maybe even better.  But it isn't readily 
available.  Felt/looked like it was Scotch 88 but with some
silicone added.  Where ever I used it (here in Colorado and abroad)
it has held up very well.

One thing you need to be careful with is wrapping too many turns
of tape that have been pulled too tight in the process.  I have
seen Scotch 88 try to return to its original length over time and
actually squeeze (ala python) the RG-213 to the point that the
polyethylene dielectric cold flowed until the shield and center
shorted out under the tape.  This happened at a point where
the coax was taped to a tower leg and it was clear that too much
tape had been used (probably 15-20 wraps or more in one spot) and
that the tape had been pulled pretty tightly.  I think they must have
been trying to hold the coax firmly to support a long length of
cable before they then proceeded to tape on down the tower--this
being the first (highest) point where the coax was taped to the
tower leg.  Too much of a good thing really can be too much!

When using tape to secure coax to a tower leg, only use a few
turns and wrap every few feet to eliminate any chance of the
cable "clanging" against the tower leg, ala flag pole ropes.

Or you can just skip all of this extra work and wonder why your
antennas don't work as well next year!

73  John  W0UN

John Brosnahan  
La Salle Research Corp      24115 WCR 40     La Salle, CO 80645  USA
voice 970-284-6602            fax 970-284-0979           email broz at csn.net


>From snace at tdrss.wsc.nasa.gov (Steve Nace)  Sat Mar 16 23:38:21 1996
From: snace at tdrss.wsc.nasa.gov (Steve Nace) (Steve Nace)
Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 16:38:21 -0700
Subject: Skoch92707 = qrt
Message-ID: <v01510100ad70fc82317b@[192.77.86.129]>


Edited for content, what little there was:

Skoch92707 typed:

>I like the guy who listed his favorite contesters, then had to spend a
>couple >of days apologizing for all the people he forgot to list.

I wish he had listed me!


>One way, but not the only way, to measure an ego is by
>the size of the signature file. If it lists several callsigns, occupations,
>mottos, an inflated view of one's home town, etc.,

Hmm, you aint even got the guts to 'sign' your posts.


>I have taken some heat for not including my name and call in my posts.

Your point?


>I just do the opposite of what I find excessive.

????


>I feel no need to self promote. If the only meaningful posts come
>from a certain list of top contesters, then this reflector resembles the
>WRTC.

Is there a problem here?


>I can post no more, however, for I have been revealed by KA9FOX.

Here is an idea. Get rid of your AOL account. Get another Internet provider
(are you following me here?), you will have a new account name!! Then we can
enjoy more of you! You could even start your new account with someone elses
call and name. That is about your speed aint it?


>The best thing I have ever said? This: 73 forever de skoch92707

You mean I cant look forward to working you in the next contest? Oh, sorry,
guess your license class kinda hampers CW contesting.


>ps. Enjoy WRTC-96, I know I will.

Just in case you want to QRM me (that is also your mindset isnt it?), I
will be using someone elses call in the IARU Championship. His call is
K7UP. I am in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. My call is KN5H so dont look for
those letters on your code reader.

Best 73 Stephen

de Hose  KN5H