[Elecraft] [W2] Waterproofing the sensor

[Fred Jensen]

You can put it in a "waterproof" box [I've used plastic boxes for 
matching networks at the tower].  It's like a "waterproof watch" -- not 
really waterproof, just somewhat resistant.  And, the water doesn't 
always come from outside.

For a sealed box, if the temp ever falls below the dew point when you 
sealed the box, water will condense inside the box.  You can put drying 
agents inside the box to reduce this, be careful, they suck water out of 
the air very fast  If they came from packing they're probably already 
full of it.  I have a little "pillow" in a plastic jar for my hearing 
aids with silica gel under it to dry them out at night.  About once a 
week, I have to nuke it for 30 secs and put it back in the jar warm.

Every "water resistant" enclosure we had in SE Asia had a drain hole [it 
actually does get cold enough in Vietnam to condense at night around 
December :-)].  I've put things in plastic boxes, made sure water 
couldn't run into it [it runs downhill - drip loops], and left a hole in 
the bottom.  After a few years, they don't exhibit water damage when I 
just look at them.  I'm at 38 deg N, your mileage may vary.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012
- www.cqp.org

On 1/27/2012 7:28 AM, David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote:
> Reposting this since I haven't seen a reply, which is unusual for this list.