[TowerTalk] Coax Seal yea or nay?

[Steve Sacco NN4X]

I strongly dislike Coax Seal, for all the reasons cited.

Last week, I unwrapped a connection which consisted of a bunch of 
PL-259's and right angle connectors which I had foolishly wrapped in 
Coax Seal, and overwrapped with Scotch 88.  It took a incredibly long 
time to get it off the connectors so I could even disconnect them.  I 
found that the the Coax Seal had worked its way INSIDE the PL-259's 
under the outer shell, in addition to covering everything with a sticky 
residue that I have yet to find something to cut it with.

I've found the above problem repeatedly as I've modified things at my 
station that I did back when I was going through my Coax Seal phase.  I 
deeply regret that I went there back in the day.

MUCH better are products like silicon Rescue Tape.   It fuses to itself, 
forms a tight seal over the connectors, and is easily removed.  You need 
to cover it with a quality electrical tape to protect  it from UV, but 
that's not unreasonable.

73,
Steve
NN4X
EL98jh



----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Message: 1
  Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 14:05:00 -0400
From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How close to salt water is close enough?

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)
>
>
>
>