[TowerTalk] Coax shield grounding

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/31/03 9:29:53 AM Pacific Daylight Time, k3bz at arrl.net 
writes:

> There's lots of mentions of "tape" for weatherproofing divers areas of the
>  tower/antenna/ground system, but there's lots of different kinds. 

    What are "weatherproofing divers areas"? You mean diverse? 

    Yes, there are LOTS of different kinds. 

>  Thanks to
>  TowerTalk, I've now discovered the linerless rubber splicing tape that you
>  stretch out before applying, and which "seals to itself" very nicely, such
>  as Scotch 130C EPR Tape or Plymouth L969 Plyvolt... this wonderful stuff is
>  not at all the same as plastic electrician's tape, such as Scotch 17, etc.

    The main point is to use the right materials. DO NOT use your hardware 
store '3 rolls for 99 cents" for electrical joints. It's fine for attaching 
cables to the tower leg and such but unsuitable for mission critical applications. 
I'm not familiar with Scotch 17 but 33 or 88 is my preference. 

    BTW 3M makes dozens of materials for the utility industry of which 130C 
and 33 and 88 are just three. Others may work for you - the biggest problem is 
finding them.

>  But what is this "butyl rubber vapor wrap" ??  Do you have an example by
>  brand and type number? 

    It's like (ugh) CoaxSeal but is much better. Once you put CS on a 
connector, the connector is useless because you'll NEVER be able to get the CS off - 
it's permanently attached and gummed up. Commercial grade vapor wraps (i.e. db 
Products) will peel right off with no problem. 

     <A HREF="http://www.championradio.com">www.championradio.com</A> has 33, 
88, and db Products commercial grade vapor wrap.

Cheers,
Steve    K7LXC
Champion Radio Products