[Elecraft] KPA500/Kat500 Cables - PL-259 Question

[Edward R Cole]

In my professional work before I retired in 2009, I used N-connectors 
as much as possible.  Some commercial VHF marine radios and the CB 
radios (required on our boats) had UHF connectors so I bought 
Amphenol PL-259's for them.  I bought antennas that had N connectors.

Sealing on boats I used a combination of Scotch-70 (gray annealing 
tape) covered either by heat shrink or scotch-33+ black 
tape.  Scotch-70 cost $30 per roll so probably too expensive for hams 
but it cut easily with a knife and never stuck onto the connector 
like coax seal.  For tower lines (typically Heliax hardline) the 
connectors were supplied with heat shrink that had sealant goo inside.

For my ham tower work I had added a coating of Scotch-Kote over 
heat-shrink or Scotch-33+ which never has failed sealing.  For awhile 
I was using Scotch-88 but 33+ has more stretch and better adhesive in 
cold climates.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
dubususa at gmail.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"