[Elecraft] [W2] Waterproofing the sensor

[Bill K9YEQ]

Understood, and same advice I would give so it seems the moving the device
outdoors does involve separate container.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ
----Original Message-----

Keeping something outdoors dry isn't a big issue. An plastic food container
will keep it dry. Just be sure to arrange the exit points for the cables so
they are pointing downward to prevent rain from running down a wire into the
enclosure. 

I've not remoted a W2 sensor, but have used that technique on many matching
networks. 

But that leaves two other issues:

1) If the unit is not totally sealed you'll get tiny bugs inside it -
including the famous pin-head size spiders that are so adept at shorting out
antenna traps. Unless you'll be checking and cleaning it regularly, I'd
carefully caulk the openings for the cables so the box is absolutely sealed
and use a container with a good seal on the lid. One of the types of
water-tight containers that has a rubber o-ring seal around the lid is best.
They are available in the USA for under $5 in the size you'd need. (If you
buy a "Snap-Loc" brand container, it's made here in the USA too :-)

2) Has anyone tried really long runs of the sensor cable to see how the
system behaves, especially in a strong RF field? I don't know of a spec for
the maximum cable run for the sensor wire. 

73, 

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----

I will watch for the response as well.   I would rather have the unit near
the base where I tune.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

-----Original Message-----
Reposting this since I haven't seen a reply, which is unusual for this list.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has waterproofed a W2 sensor, I'm
considering the W2 and want to put the sensor on the masthead.
73 de David, M0XDF (K3 #174, P3 #108)