[Towertalk] [OT] weatherproof tape for antennas?

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/17/02 5:06:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
NN7K@reno.rmci.net writes:

> 88 tape? you gotta be kidding, the stuff is common electrical tape (Scotch
>  brand #88 tape), 

    I'm not sure whether you're endorsing its use or discouraging it. 
Actually it's a premium grade electrical tape which is used by professional 
tower climbers and is THE standard tape for the various telephone companies. 
It has excellent adhesive, conformance (the ability to conform with whatever 
surface it's applied to), and you can even put it on a wet boom or joint. 
Scotch 88 (and 33) are THE recommended tapes for outdoor applications. 

>  common as dirt.

    Still don't get your drift. It's common enough to be carried at some 
hardware retail outlets but some TowerTalkians have said they couldn't find 
it locally. You can get it at most electrical supply houses so that's where I 
suggest you look if you can't find it. 

>  best bet, tho is self vulcanizing (scotch #33, if i remember correctly),

    Wrong number. 33 is the same as 88, just slightly thinner.

    3M makes lots of sealing-type products mostly for the electrical and 
electrical utility trade and many of them are suitable for amateur 
applications. You have to go looking for these products as they are pretty 
specialized (again, electrical supply houses).

>  this stuff you stretch to about 1-1/4 to 12-1/2 the length pulled off the
>  roll, then wind around what you want to seal, and because it self destructs
>  in sunlight, then cover it with 88 tape. this will weatherproof for several
>  years,

    There are a number of products that are useful as a vapor barrier on 
electrical joints/coax connectors. Tower professionals use a butyl rubber but 
some of the self-fusing tapes work well too. 

Cheers,
Steve     K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for commercial and amateur