[TowerTalk] LMR600 male DIN

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

I've said it many times, I used to feel like you toward connectors, 
until a direct lightning strike to the top of my tower removed all of 
the weatherproofing and 15 minutes later I had water running out of my 
rig onto the desk top. It didn't hurt the rig, but it ruined the desk 
top.  40 years total at 3 locations with nary a problem, but one strike 
ruined 200 feet of 9913, IIRC 8 connectors, and a desk top

If you are on HF, Unless it is a long line, or you consider the legal 
limit as QRP, as far as I can see, there is little to be gained from 
using these expensive cables
I found 1/2" Heliax too fragile for kinking, or being stepped on. I gave 
away two 100' runs with connectors. and went to LMR600. Now if I could 
have found 7/8ths Heliax at a reasonable price, I would have used it for 
VHF and UHF.  The only time I saw a good price was a pick up load for 
the repeater that was free free, but none as an individual.

Total length from my rigs to the top of the tower was 200 feet with 
rotator loops and 28' pigtails to the antennas

73

Roger (K8RI)


On 9/7/2016 Wednesday 7:50 PM, Kevin wrote:
> I believe it all started with the superiority of heliax/hard-line from 
> a loss perspective and since UHF type connectors for such cable are 
> expensive and rare why not use 7/16 DIN, a commercial standard connector.
>
>
> On 9/7/2016 10:26 AM, StellarCAT wrote:
>> Forgive me - I've replied to Gerald's email but this is directed to 
>> the thread in general: WHY all the concern for sealed connectors and 
>> connector types? I've been using UHF for 49 years and the only time 
>> I've had issues with those installed outside it was my fault - either 
>> poor wrap of tape or poor solder job ... I've had cables with 
>> connectors that were out for years with electrical tape wrapped 
>> around them in 2 directions - years later when disassembling them for 
>> a move they were utterly pristine! I don't get it - why so much 
>> discussion?
>>
>> Gary
>> K9RX
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: TexasRF at aol.com
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 8:56 AM
>> To: john at kk9a.com ; towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] LMR600 male DIN
>>
>> John, you bring up a valid concern. I am not aware of any coaxial type
>> connector that could be considered waterproof. The fundamental reason is
>> because  the threaded connections do not create a hermetic seal when 
>> they are
>> screwed  together.
>>
>> There are inevitable air spaces inside the connectors and coaxial 
>> cables.
>> These air spaces will fill with air. When the air is heated (like 
>> outside
>> in full sun) it will expand, creating a positive pressure. 
>> Conversely, when
>> the air cools (like at night), it will create a negative pressure. This
>> negative pressure will suck tiny amounts of water vapor through the 
>> threads of
>> the connector.
>>
>> If enough water vapor is present droplets of water can condense 
>> during  the
>> cooling cycle and over the course of days and weeks can collect 
>> inside the
>> connector. Once inside, there is no escape and the droplets continue to
>> collect  over time.
>>
>> If there are rain or dew drops of water on the outside of the cable, 
>> they
>> can also leak through the threads and collect inside the connector. 
>> Gravity
>> is  not your friend here.
>>
>> Many commercial applications pressurize all of the cables even if 
>> they are
>> foam filled types to prevent the problem. You may have noticed many 
>> of the
>> Heliax type connectors have air fittings; that is why.
>>
>> 73,
>> Gerald K5GW
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Over
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 9/7/2016 5:37:52 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
>> john at kk9a.com writes:
>>
>> Is any  TX connector really water proof?  Are DIN's being professionally
>> installed with no external butyl rubber and tape? On the two outdoor 
>> DINs
>> that I have, I weather proofed the connection the same way I did with 
>> UHF
>> and N connectors.
>>
>> John KK9A
>>
>>
>> To:     towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject:    Re: [TowerTalk] LMR600 male  DIN
>> From:    "Roger (K8RI) on TT"  <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
>> Date:    Wed, 7 Sep 2016  01:08:48 -0400
>>
>> Take care!
>> According to the Amphenol page N-Type are  not water proof/weather 
>> proof.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger  (K8RI)
>>
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>>
>>
>>
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>


-- 

73

Roger (K8RI)


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