[TowerTalk] Dielectric Flood

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/2/2007 9:02:43 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:

>  I went through a phase some years ago where I would fill UHF  
connectors with Dow Corning #4. I never had a problem with one and 
it  did keep water out. Some were up for as much as 5 years before 
being  replaced due to upgrades. However, YMMV! I think it is not a 
recommended  practice. I stopped doing it mostly because it has a 
tendency to be messy  (and unnecessary, given proper waterproofing of 
the  connection).
 
    Excellent point! I hate the stuff myself. Why  would you put a dielectric 
material in an application where you're trying to  encourage a conductive 
connection?!? I've never understood that. 
 
    And then there's the mess. Using it up on a tower  creates a potential 
safety hazard since the stuff is greasy and getting it on  your gloves makes 
them nice and slippery. 
 
    OTOH YMMV. Nothing replaces good  weatherproofing.
 
Cheers,
Steve    K7LXC
TOWER TECH



 



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