[TowerTalk] sealing PL259's

[Jim Thomson]

Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 05:34:06 -0700
From: "J. Hunt via TowerTalk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
To: towertalk reflector <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] sealing PL259's

I do not use PL-259's  much outdoors (or indoors), the choice is N connectors... on everything - 1.8 - 500mhz.
The N connector is weatherized, less impedance bump and higher power capabilities.
... 7/16 Din connectors anyone ...

By design, the PL-259  is not weatherized.  
A simple way of preventing water egress within any connector, is silicon grease.  Application is done during assembly and when installed onto the device.  Then multiple wraps of Scotch Super 33 electrical tape and Coax Seal.
So far, many years of trouble free service.

This process is little more expensive, but never had a failure yet.
Sorry, I am skeptical on garden hose washers. 



Thanks N 73,
James 
ki5dq
... A veteran tower dog ...

##  I gave up on those stupid type N connectors years ago.   Why bother using em ?  They come with a puny center pin that is virtually 
identical to the center pin on a BNC connector.   ALL the telcos and cell companies have dumped the type N..and gone to a 7-16 DIN. 

##  If you want to see something absurd, look at  .875 inch or 1.25 inch heliax...  or  LMR-1200DB coax....with a type N connector.   Coffee mug size connector...
with this tiny BNC size pin.  A SO-239 / PL-259...  american made  teflon /silver type is a far better bet..and zero swr Z bump. 

## I use 7-16 dins  myself.   The female chassis connector uses a 1.25 inch square flange..with 4 x 8-32 SS screws.    They are not much bigger than the 1 inch square flange 
of a SO-239  or type N  female chassis  connector.   However, the OD of the female is huge..  7mm.  The mating pin is also huge..like the size of a .22 slug. 
The ID of the mating RF connection is also huge... 16mm.   They are water proof.   You wont blow em up any time soon..and most are good for 2800 v rms,
add  41%  for the peak V.   A type N is only rated for 500 vrms.   A 7-16 din is good up to 7 ghz.   There are plenty of em now on the surplus market.

##  On the bigger coax and heliax type cables... the cable  makers now only offer 2 x connector choices....  type N  or  7-16 DIN.   No brainer there. 
LC connectors have gone out of vogue..and ditto with type C connectors. 

##  To seal any of these connectors..use silicone grease on both the threads and a tiny bit on the pin.  Then wrap with  33/88  tape...then quality heat shrink,
like the T+B type..with the longitudinal ribs in it...and also the internal glue glop.   You can apply five times the torque on a 7-16 DIN  vs a type N.   Dins
comes with red silicon rubber gasket seals. 

later.... Jim   VE7RF