[TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: [Bulk] Re: PL259 Cobbectors Part 2 - Murray W9EHQ

[Grant Saviers]

One more instruction from Andrew is to preheat the larger connectors 
before slipping over the adhesive lined heat shrink.  ie you can't get 
enough heat to a bigger connector through the heat shrink without 
overheating the adhesive/shrink.  A PL259 won't take very long to 
preheat, but it probably is a good idea to really get the adhesive to 
adhere.  I've noticed when removing same that there wasn't all around 
adherence-no residue on parts of the body. Another benefit of heat 
shrink using on the cable to PL259 body is it makes it easier to get a 
tight 33/88 wrap, particularly on 8X size coax.

I've had mixed luck with the silicone self adhering tape directly as a 
sealant.  Moisture did wick under it.  As we know there is tape and then 
there is good tape.   I used Scotch 70 self fusing silicone over the 
SteppIR adhesive boots on my 4L as an insurance vs UV and weather and it 
is in perfect shape after 4 years.   $40 per 1" x 30' roll at amazon.

My belief is an adhesive seal such as 33/88/butyl is better than the 
pressure seal of silicone tape.  I've used Mortight caulking tape and RV 
sealing tape with success but it is messy to remove since it sticks so 
well.  I should have started with a layer of 33 and used the Andrew 
sealing technique.

Grant KZ1W

"Even free Chinese electrical tape is a bad deal."
KZ1W Ham Radio Maxims

On 5/15/2016 9:26 AM, Kevin Stover wrote:
> SteppIR doesn't use butyl tape and longer on the element seams.
> They use glue coated heat shrink.
>
> On 5/15/2016 11:11 AM, Mike Ryan wrote:
>> This is the same stuff that STEPPIR supplies with their antennas. AND 
>> it does work great. You can also find it in BLACK under another name, 
>> in the plumbing department at HOME DEPOT.  Sells for about $9 per 
>> roll give or take. That being said, some guys at hamfests sell it. 
>> Some are dealers who sell imported power cables, connectors, quick 
>> disconnects, etc. LOOK CLOSELY...what I have seen these guys do is to 
>> run off HALF of the roll, and sell it for the same price as found in 
>> the stores, on eBay, or other sources. I think a roll is supposed to 
>> have 12ft. from Rescue Tape. Sometimes it is called "Tommy Tape" or 
>> other names. But it is a self fusing tape.  Stretch it while wrapping 
>> your connectors, etc. It really seals ll.   - Mike
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Hank Garretson
>> Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2016 11:19 AM
>> To: Tower and HF antenna construction topics.
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: PL259 Cobbectors Part 2 - Murray 
>> W9EHQ
>>
>> For outdoor waterproofing of RG-8 connections, I use Rescue Tape.
>> http://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Tape-RT1000201201USC-RT1000201201USCO/dp/B00AEBKYPG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1463325032&sr=8-3&keywords=rescue+tape 
>>
>> . For me it works like a champ. Easy on, easy off (with a gentle
>> razor-blade cut). After years, everything inside is bright and shiny. If
>> there is a downside to this stuff, I haven't found it.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Hank, W6SX
>> _______________________________________________
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>