[TowerTalk] Caps (was: Hose Clamps)

[john at kk9a.com]

Certainly it is possible for an insect nest to close off a tube however a
PVC end cap will definitely seal the end and possibly trap moisture. 
Usually the ends of the elements and boom are the lowest points of the
antenna so it could be full of water. Somehow my previous post on what I
do with my homebrew antennas caused mostly criticism. I know that Telrex
did not supply end caps with the products that I purchased from them years
ago and they built heavy duty antennas. I am not sure what other
manufacture's do. This is my last comment on this subject.

John KK9A


To:	 <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Caps (was: Hose Clamps)
From:	 "Patrick Greenlee" <patrick_g at windstream.net>
Date:	 Fri, 1 Feb 2013 07:58:10 -0600

Here in Oklahoma we have insects we call "Mud Daubers" (look like wasps)
that tend to close off most any openings they encounter with mud which
dries to a good seal. Unfortunately, the holes most often closed are
ones best left open such as ventilation for motors, furnace flues, and
on and on but antennas are sometimes targeted.

Patrick AF5CK

-----Original Message----- From: Jerry Gardner
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 4:47 PM
To: john at kk9a.com
Cc: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Caps (was: Hose Clamps)

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 2:35 PM, <john at kk9a.com> wrote:

I do not put caps on any of my antenna elements or booms. I have never
had
an issue from using nothing and I don't have to worry about moisture
accumulating.


What about spiders and other assorted bugs?