[TowerTalk] Antenna issue still puzzling me

[Gene Fuller]

And, don't forget relay contacts. Vacuum relays are usually ok, but any 
crack in the glass or ceramic obviously could be a problem. And, self 
cleaning contacts may be probably ok. But plain old contacts watch out and 
clean them periodically.
With the coax connectors, provided they are properly soldered, it can help 
to clean them and apply a thin coat of electrical grease like Penetrox to 
keep the oxides away. This of course does nothing for the cheapies, 
especially the right angles, that just plane burn up at a few hundred watts.
Gene / W2LU


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Crownhaven" <crownhaven at bellsouth.net>
To: "Pete Smith N4ZR" <n4zr at contesting.com>
Cc: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 9:23 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Antenna issue still puzzling me


>I second that.  Used RF Connection for years.
>
> Hi Pete!
>
> Steve N4JQQ
>
>
>
>
> On Apr 21, 2013, at 6:37 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr at contesting.com> wrote:
>
>> I recommend the RF Connection <http://therfc.com>.  They sell both junk 
>> and the good stuff (not just Amphenol, but other ones they have dug 
>> into). you can get junk from them, but if you ask they will steer you 
>> right, and the prices should be your guide.  I asked one time why they 
>> carried junk, and the reply was simple - "hams want cheap."
>>
>> 73, Pete N4ZR
>> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
>> http://reversebeacon.net,
>> blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
>> For spots, please go to your favorite
>> ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
>>
>> On 4/21/2013 4:07 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
>>> On 4/20/2013 6:28 PM, n8de at thepoint.net wrote:
>>>> My guess is that the balun has a cold-solder joint in it.
>>>
>>> Perhaps.
>>>
>>> I would also look for bad connections that are the result of junk 
>>> connectors or badly soldered connectors.
>>>
>>> 99% of all connectors sold at hamfests, and even by most dealers selling 
>>> to hams, are JUNK, and they can cause exactly this sort of problem that 
>>> is hard to find.  This may sound biased, but it is not. If a coax 
>>> connector does not say Amphenol on it, or if it is not a vintage 
>>> connector with a UG number (military surplus) it is almost certainly 
>>> TRASH.  This advice also applies to barrel (splicer) connectors, Tees, 
>>> Elbows, and adapters from one connector type to another.
>>>
>>> REAL connectors cost about twice as much as the junk, and you have to 
>>> look for the good vendors that sell them.  That's an extra buck or two 
>>> for each connector. But how much did it cost you to sell one rig and buy 
>>> a new one?  And your problem is still there. :)
>>>
>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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