[TowerTalk] quick waterproofing for PL-259 connectors?

[Alan Zack]

There are "Finger Condoms" that assembly workers stick on the end of 
their fingers.  They are also a little thicker than the regular kind. 
  They are good to slide over the open ends of coax connectors.

Roger K8RI on Tower wrote:

> That's certainly using your imigination, but I didn't know they were 
> made that small<:-))
> OTOH maybe they are using large coax.
> 
>> How about a condom?
> 
> 
> Still, cut the end off, twist to fit, and use rubber bands at each end?
> 
> Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL Life Member)
> N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
> www.rogerhalstead.com
> 
>>
>> 73
>> Gary  K4FMX
>>
>> Roger K8RI on Tower wrote:
>>
>>> You might try to find a bicycle tire innertube of the proper size.  I 
>>> know it's small, but there many be some that will fit.  Won't be 
>>> cheap though.
>>>
>>> Another alternative is silicone and latex tubing (if you can find 
>>> it).  I know it's manufactured, and either would work well, but I 
>>> don't know who sells the stuff retail.
>>>
>>> You could cut the fingers out of a latex surgical glove (size small), 
>>> but those are fragile.
>>>
>>> Think innovation.  There have to be lots of sources.
>>>
>>> Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL Life Member)
>>> N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
>>> www.rogerhalstead.com
>>>
>>>
>>>> I'm looking for good ideas on how to waterproof a PL-259/SO-239 type
>>>> connection (say, a pair of PL's with a barrel in between) for 
>>>> temporary use.
>>>> There's lots of good ideas in the archives for permanent 
>>>> installation, but
>>>> what I'm looking for is something for a portable/field day operation.
>>>>
>>>> 1) real fast to mate (ideally, no extra time over what it takes to 
>>>> mate the
>>>> connectors)
>>>> 2) cheap
>>>> 3) real fast to demate
>>>> 4) Ideally, no consumables
>>>> 5) Doesn't require tools
>>>> 6) Can be done in the dark/rain
>>>>
>>>> Maybe something like a rubber boot that goes over the connector? 
>>>> (but how
>>>> does it seal on one of the ends?)
>>>>
>>>> I'm interested in ideas for the "extension cord" (cable to cable) 
>>>> and the
>>>> "wall socket" (cable to equipment) usage model.
>>>>
>>>> For the chassis mounted application, "rain tight" might be good 
>>>> enough (i.e.
>>>> it doesn't have to tolerate immersion), but for the cable to cable
>>>> application, water/mud/dirt proof is desirable.
>>>>
>>>> While I'm thinking about it, ideas for waterproof or raintight 12VDC 
>>>> power
>>>> pole style connections and Cat5 networking would also be useful.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", 
>>>> "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 
>>>> 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
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>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", 
>>> "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 
>>> 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", 
>> "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 
>> 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless 
> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with 
> any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> 
> 

-- 
__________________________________________________________________________ 

Alan Zack
Amateur Radio Station K7ACZ
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Quality Engineer, The Boeing Company, Retired
Aviation Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Retired
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