[TowerTalk] How close to salt water is close enough?

[K8RI]

On 5/18/2013 11:51 AM, K7LXC at aol.com wrote:
>>     Products like coax seal are worth using liberally  wherever it can be
> applied if needed.
>
>      Just make sure you never have to take it off. It's  the WORST stuff in
> the world to get off of anything. You put in on a connector -  you have to
> throw the connector away.
>

Why?  There is absolutely nothing electrically or mechanically wrong 
with a connector just because it has coax seal on it.

I use Flooded Heat Shrink tubing.  The heavy 3M stuff the electrical 
contractors use.  It's lined with Hot melt glue so when it's, it's 
really sealed.  Getting it off, is not difficult., You cut it down one 
side with a box cutter, pry up a corner and pull. Use a pair of pliers. 
  It, like coax seal may leave residue behind. Hot glue in this case, 
rather than pieces of coax seal. I ask again, so what?

Sure it looks crappy, but the connector underneath is clean and shiny. 
It can be used again as if it were new and when a new coating of coax 
seal or heat shrink is put in place it is as good as it was the first 
time and at this point looks no different.

The only problem is the connector may be "sticky, so either put it in a 
baggie, plastic package or just don't drop it in the dirt.

BTW I think Mineral spirits will clean coax seal off.
Even connectors wrapped with tape get sticky.

Now you could resort to a layer of tape wrong side out, but unless done 
well can be a source of leaks. Yah, I know many swear by it because it 
leaves the connector shiny. You can also wrap the connection with one or 
two layers of Saran wrap which really seals when covered with 
"stretched" tape wound past its ends, but these are extra steps that 
serve a only as a cosmetic.  I'm a firm believer of the KISS approach 
which is the most durable, simple, and effective.

Then I wonder why the obsession with reusing connectors.  Most hams use 
a $3.00 PL259 if they are consciousnesses.  Well, no, most use the cheap 
stuff found at swaps instead of buying the "good stuff". That gob of 
solder on the center connectors has ruined more female connectors than 
just about any thing else.

I realize there are many hams for whom purchasing a dozen PL259s is hard 
on the budget.  I know many and was there once .. no, several times 
myself, and I would have gladly used connectors with a little coax seal 
on them because it doesn't hurt anything except it lets others know you 
are using a <gasp> used connector.

Many of us gladly use, used connectors on large coax where new ones are 
over a $100.

But why care if some coax seal (Electrical putty) is stuck on the 
outside of a connector?  It feels icky?  Just don't drop it in the dirt. 
<:-))


End of Rant.<:-))

73

Roger (K8RI)




>      Much better butyl rubber for this is just about  anything else; e.g. db
> Products vapor wrap, the plumbing stuff you buy at the  hardware store.
> etc.
>
>      If you put a layer of electrical tape down first  and then put the Coax
> Seal over it, you can actually get the CS off. Otherwise  use it at your
> own risk. Your mileage won't vary.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve     K7LXC
> TOWER TECH
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