[TowerTalk] Coax Seal yea or nay?

[Bill Parry]

I have been following along with this line and have really been interested
in the different ways that folks have been "proofing" their connections.  I
thought that the way that I had been doing it was the most common but I
guess not. The tower guys that first put up my antennas had used coax seal.
After my antennas were fried by lightning, I had the devil getting that
stuff off and it does flow in the heat here.  After reading towertalk
(several years ago) I settled on a different way of sealing. I cover the
coax connector with Super #88 followed by a coat of liquid electric tape,
followed by another coat of #88. 

After about 5 years I had another strike and took down the antennas. I
replaced all the coax runs and stubs. Every connection was sparkling clean
like new. It was easy to get the stuff off too. I put liquid tape on to keep
the connection waterproof and solid. You can't leave that stuff on the
outside because it only lasts for about 15 minutes. I use the second coat of
tape to protect the liquid tape. 

For beginners just using electrical tape, always use #33 or #88 (available
at Home Depot), and be careful when you cut/tape it down that you don't
"pull on it" or it will pull itself back loose and "flutter in the breeze."
I know this from personal experience!

Bill W5VX

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
Richard Thorne
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 3:26 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Coax Seal yea or nay?

I like using this stuff
http://www.dxengineering.com/search/part-type/tape/product-line/dx-engineeri
ng-3m-temflex-2155-rubber-splicing-tape?autoview=SKU

I just dismantled a vertical yesterday which had the rubber used as the
first layer and a layer of 3M Scotch Super 33 to protect it. The connection
was well protected and was easy to remove by carefully using an xacto blade.
The rubber adheres to the surface of the coax and
pl-259 very well, but when removed, does not leave a mess.

Rich - N5ZC



On 5/20/2013 12:51 PM, K7LXC at aol.com wrote:
>> Is 3M Scotchcote no longer in favor?  After a full wrap of  tape,  a
> coating of this messy stuff has kept connectors dry and shinny for  years.
>   
>      Yes, lots of folks use it. It was designed for  burial and really 
> doesn't have much in the way of weather or UV resistance.  After a 
> couple of years, the ScotchKote flakes off too. Some cell installers  
> I've seen use a clear Krylon spray paint. Probably does a little better.
>   
> Cheers,
> Steve    K7LXC
> TOWER TECH
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