[Elecraft] K2 near the sea: leave on or not?

[Jack Brindle]

I grew up in Miami, 2 miles from Biscayne Bay. The only time I saw  
any significant salt spray problem was after a Hurricane blew  
through, spraying the east side of trees and structures. The trees  
lost their leaves on that side (strange looking), but that was about  
it. There are a lot of folks with aluminum awnings and screens over  
their patios and pools. Those things last many, many years without  
significant problems (unless a _bad_ hurricane comes through). I  
never saw any problems with my radio gear or antennas from salt or  
weathering in the years I was there.

I _did_ see a tremendous boost in antenna efficiency in my vertical  
antenna from having the salt water table only three feet down,  
however. No radials were needed, just put up the antenna and add RF  
for plenty of European DX...

As far as the Houston air is concerned, the problems were probably  
more due to pollution than salty air. The large amount of  
petrochemical plants in the area have really taken their toll on the  
air. Southwest Louisiana, where I went to college (McNeese State) has  
fewer of these plants and markedly better air to breath. Other than  
that, it is the same atmosphere. Again, I had no problems there either.

Look at it this way, both places need good air conditioning to live  
in. The AC units sit outside in this atmosphere with their embedded  
electronic controls. They last a long time...

Now farther south (the Keys or Caribbean), its a much different story...

- Jack Brindle, W6FB. Ex WA4FIB, WB5KQJ, WN4WXF...
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