[TenTec] [Ten Tec} Mike Element

[Jim Allen]

Maybe we should arrange a vat of this stuff and arrange to have our radios dipped in it, as that seems to be the cause of a large number, maybe a majority, of the problems we see discussed.  Every now and then a part has failed, not often, but these contact corrosion problems seem to be ubiquitous.

When I had what ended up being a $300 round trip to Sevierville, Paul told me this was more common after the switch to some standard, RoHS or something like that.

My DX-40, National receiver, Galaxy V, SB101, FT101 and Drake C-line radios and every linear amplifier I have used never had a single problem, all the way back to the Eisenhower Administration.  I do not recall ever hearing of one back then either.

73 de W6OGC Jim Allen 
Sent from my iPad

> On May 10, 2016, at 12:57, JAMES HANLON <knjhanlon at msn.com> wrote:
> 
> Y'all,
> 
> I worked on electrical connectors of all types for Bell Labs and for Sandia National Labs before I retired in 2003.  From my professional experience, I want to recommend a Connector "Lubricant" which will protect clean contacts from corrosion, both chemical corrosion and "fretting  corrosion" which occurs when vibration causes contacts to rub against each other on a microscopic scale and to pull out small pieces of contact material which then corrode - usually oxidize or sulfide - and then become non-conductive cinders that block the contacts open.  This occurs when contacts are subjected to vibration as they might be in an aircraft, an automobile, or a machine environment.  This material prevents oxidation or sulfurization by filling the interstices between the contacts with liquid lubricant which then blocks the ingress of gasses which carry the corrosive elements to the contact materials.  I would recommend it for use on those microphone element connectors and for PWB conn
> ectors if they are causing trouble as well.
> 
> The magic lubricant is "ILFC Ten-06 CON-TAC."   It is made by International Lubrication and Fuel Consultants, located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  The web page for the lubricant is at http://www.ilfcinc.com/ilfc-ten-06/ .  A very small amount will go a long way  - I'd probably use a Q-tip or an artist's paint brush to apply a very thin coating on connector contact surfaces.  If I needed some I'd contact ILFC, they are a very small company, and explain what I needed.  they are pretty friendly, and they will probably find a way to get you what you need.
> 
> Jim Hanlon, W8KGI 
>                         
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