[TowerTalk] Florida Ham fights UV - uses tape???????????

[Guy Olinger, K2AV]

My C31XR's PVC insulators *ARE* the gray type. And they are always in
the shade. I've heard a lot about F12 antennas, but never heard a
*report* of what you're worrying about.

But if you want to wrap them before putting an element in the clamps, a
careful wrap with a scotchkote cover can be made to look very neat.
Sloppy black at antenna heights is when the tape comes loose and flaps
in the breeze.

I would be inclined to wrap it for salt air if you're anywhere near the
coast, mostly to preserve the element insulation if you have other
antennas near it.

--... ...--  . ...  --.  .-..

Regards, Guy
Apex, NC


----- Original Message -----
From: James White <k4oj@tampabay.rr.com>
To: tower talk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 8:15 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Florida Ham fights UV - uses tape???????????


> In their instruction manual, Force 12 refers to the pvc tubing
insulators
> for the elements having an approximate expected life span of about
five (5)
> years since they are underneath and protected from direct sunlight by
the
> mounting plates...
>
> Here in Florida, the UV capital of the world (actually I believe that
> distinction goes to Key Largo) UV is devastating...a question:
>
> I have seen gray pvc used for electrical conduit versus the white used
for
> plumbing applications...the gray stuff in Home Depot is marked UV
> resistant...would it be better to go with UV resistant PVC or use
F12's
> suggestion of simply quenching the UV by taping over the PVC?
>
> Taping over is easy enough to do but not very "professional" - I try
to
> design our antennas so they can stay up for a sunspot cycle if at all
> possible...even if I coat the tape with scotchcoat this is crude at
best and
> if the same results could be obtained by switching out the PVC I would
> prefer that...
>
>  Your input is appreciated, almost as much as an SS CW contact!!!
>
> 73,
>
> Jim, K4OJ
>
> West
> Central
> Florida
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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>


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