[TowerTalk] Fwd: Fwd: sealing PL259's

[Al Kozakiewicz]

Just to point it out if it is not common knowledge, but straight threads are incapable of self sealing by their very nature.  Tapered threads are required to obtain the mechanical interference needed to obtain a seal. Compounds and tape help, but a proper pipe joint should seal without them.

On the other hand, UHF connectors leak everywhere, so it seems kind of pointless to me to pay any special attention to the threads.

Al
AB2ZY

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From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Hans Hammarquist via TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2015 9:36 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Fwd:   Fwd:  sealing PL259's

Thomas,


I have no idea what it contains only that it you don't put it on, the fitting will leak no matter how hard you tighten it. (My brother-in-law had that experience.)


A limited amount on the threaded part shouldn't interfere with the "electrical' part. It should have some sort of sealing function. (I still missing some "spring" function of the PL-256 to ensure a proper outer connection. Maybe that could be an improved PL-256 (PL-256-S :). Some type of built -in weather seal would also not hurt.)


Hans - N2JFS



-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Noel <tnoel at mac.com>
To: Hans Hammarquist <hanslg at aol.com>
Cc: towertalk <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Tue, May 26, 2015 2:31 pm
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk]  Fwd:  sealing PL259's


Hans,



Both pipe dope and teflon tape are primarily lubricants to enable tightening the fittings enough to achieve a seal. The thread dope is a mix of lubricant grease and microscopic metallic particles to help prevent galling. I would be concerned about putting a conductive grease in a fitting that needs two distinct conductors.





Thomas W Noel

KF7RSF






On May 26, 2015, at 10:25 AM, Hans Hammarquist via TowerTalk <     towertalk at contesting.com> wrote:


     Hi Jim,


     I was thinking about the "gray" thread sealer that doesn't harden. It would also be out of the UV-radiation being inside the threads. Should be no problem, more than cleaning the gook off.


     I don't like to "tighten with pliers" when you have a knurled surface on the nut (or screw for that matter). It's needed for the UHF connector but not on the N (or TNC) for a proper connection.







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