[TowerTalk] RTV where to find and (getting Long Life)

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

<bunca snipped>
73 Roger (K8RI)

  ## I was told the RTV used in aquariums,sold at pet stores... does not 
smell like acetic acid... IE: vinegar. I bought some at the local 
aquarium store.... and it smells like vinegar ! You would think that the 
rtv sold in aquarium stores... would not smell like vinegar.... that 
stuff would surely kill off the fish in any tank.

 >You are correct. Somewhere along the supply chain the wrong stuff was 
ordered.

 >HOWEVER.  If and it's a big IF the RTV is allowed to Thoroughly cure 
and out gas the Acetic Acid it would >work for the Aquarium.  I'd want 
it to cure for several days to a week and then set it out in the hot 
summer sun >to aid the vaporization and out gassing.  OTOH I'd still be 
reluctant to use it on an aquarium for exotic (and >expensive) fish.  
(EVENTUALLY) and I do not know how long it'd take, the acid would be gone.

## 88 and 33 tape work good. Ok, what do you do where the PL-259 
etc..screws into the mating female ? The only thing I have come up with 
that sorta works is T+B heat shrink, industrial type. Wrap with 33/88 
tape 1st..then the heat shrink. U get water into the excess threads on a 
so-239 female... it will migrate into the Pl-259.

There are a number of ways to do this, each with its own adherents and 
most are "probably" equally effective.

My preference is to apply flooded heat shrink directly to clean 
connectors with the end of the tube cut square and butted tightly 
against the base of the female chassis connector,  the same for inline 
male to female. Apply heat starting at the threaded end and slowly move 
onto the PL259.  The HOT MELT GLUE will fill the threads and be forced a 
short distance into the PL259 threads preventing the entrance of 
moisture from that direction.

You can use silicone grease in the threads, but don't get it where you 
want anything to stick  For those ehere the base is tape, followed by 
what ever, I personally want to see the flooded heat shrink extend at 
least a half inch past the tape so it can seal directly to the coax 
jacket, or the end of the connector. Remember, I don't care what the 
connector looks like after use. Pieces of glue all over the used 
connector don't hurt it..

## in line splices are easy. male-double female-male. Just wrap with 
33/88 tape, then heat shrink the entire mess.

Yup!
  Jim VE7RF

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73 Roger (K8RI)