Topband: Using GE silicone as antenna sealant.

[W8ZV]

Hi Guys!!
    Yup, agree completely.  Used this stuff for years.  If you're not 
sure what you have, just smell the fresh sealant.  IF it smells like 
vinegar, guess what.......  Dow-Corning made silicone that was alcohol 
based.  I've not seen any in years, but it's got to be around.  It's 
what they use to build aquariums.  That's a much better choice for 
sealing connectors.    Or you can do what I've done for years.  I use 
silicone grease, as it stays in gel form and I use shrink tube over the 
connectors.  You can buy the stuff with sealant inside the tube, but 
that gets pricey if you've got a bunch to do.
On 3/18/2013 5:36 PM, Charlie Cunningham wrote:
> I agree completely!!  RTV will outgas acetic acid for a VERY LONG TIME - almost forever! You should try it in a high-vacuum chamber! Especially one that includes an "ion pump" to achieve very high vacuums! RTV will "belch acetic acid in copious quantities virtually forever.
>
> Definitely need one of the newer gasless curing compounds that won't outgas corrosive gases!  GOOD POINT!
>
> Charlie, K4OTV
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of wa3mej at comcast.net
> Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2013 12:40 PM
> To: topband at contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: Using GE silicone as antenna sealant.
>
>
>
> Gents.. be very sure that if you pick GE silicone sealant.. (RTV or whatever you call it) DO NOT use the kind that has acetic acid in it.. Back in the early days of NASA rocket launches off Wallops Island NASA lost a rocket they launched.  It failed because they had used RTV that had acetic acid and it had corroded the connections.. litterally.
>
>
>
> A friend of mine W3AUN was one of the people responsible for this launch..
>
>
> Long Live Seal Team VI
>
> http://www.qsl.net/wa3mej/index.htm
> ----- Original Message -----
> Well, those GE silicone sealants are designed to have pretty high
> resistivity and are designed to be insulators as well as for protection.
>
> Main thing, I expect is that the highest temperature that you reach is the
> curing temperature of the silicone compound. No heat guns! :)
>
> I wouldn't hesitate to apply it over the termination resistors on my
> receiving loops, but I haven't bothered
> _________________
> Topband Reflector
>
> _________________
> Topband Reflector
>


-- 
Kim Herron W8ZV
1-616-677-3706