[TowerTalk] Antenna Grease--Deficiencies and Remedies

[K7GCO@aol.com]

<< 
  Ken,
  
  When I came to New England from San Jose, one of the locals told me all 
  about the silicon grease trick you mentioned so I believed them....for a 
  while....However, after a few years, some water apparently did get into the 
  connectors one by one and they eventually flashed over. In fact, at 400 
  Watts on my 432 MHz EME antenna, the center pin on an expensive 7/8" 
  Andrews coax connector had a vaporized center pin after the VSWR had risen 
  from a rain storm.
  
  What I finally did was to rub silicon grease sparingly only on the threads 
  of the connector (outside of the coaxial connection) and it indeed 
  inhibited the water from getting into the center RF area of the connector. 
  Furthermore, when water did occasionally get in, it was easy to remove and 
  repair.
  
  73,  Joe, W1JR   >>
 
   The connectors tighten tighter, come off easier and still look new with 
the silicone grease also. Zero Maintenance--the desired goal.  k7gco 

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