[Elecraft] Remote KAT500

[Michael Walker]

My 2 cents on remote mounting and dealing with non-salted air.

I have long given up on keeping the water 100% out of the box.  I am 100%
in favour of keeping electronics dry (and there is a difference) and bug
free.

As an example, we had a linksys router 80ft up a tower in a tupperware
container with no bottom in it for 8 years in Northern Ontario (very HOT
and very very cold).  It never got wet and worked flawlessly.  Outside air
was allowed to flow all around it.

Everytime I tried to keep something dry in a box, all it did was trap the
water and high humidity inside.  :)

I know a WISP operator that now does exactly the same thing.  It is easier
to keep it dry and water resistant that waterproof.

Mike va3mw


On Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 3:05 PM, David Anderson <gm4jjj at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> Hi Fred,
>
> Best to avoid connectors mounted -on- the box if possible, as it is
> another possible point of water entry through screw holes and connector
> holes.  Mil spec waterproof connectors are expensive.
>
> Of course it goes without saying that connectors for 120 V AC need to be
> suitable items for outdoor use.
>
> Use suitable panel mounted cable glands and pass the cables through them.
>
> You can then fit connectors on the ends of short cables from the enclosure
> for disconnecting them when you require, as it is much easier to wrap
> suitable self amalgamating tape and top covering of PVC tape for UV
> protection around an inline socket and plug than around a panel mounted
> socket on the enclosure.
>
> Good luck with your project.
>
> 73 from David GM4JJJ
>
> > On 21 Jan 2016, at 19:17, Fred Jensen <k6dgw at foothill.net> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks for all the input on my plan to remote my KAT500 to the base of a
> flag pole.  Plans are taking shape.  I still have a couple of specific
> questions:
>
>
> > 3.  How do I get the cables into the weatherproof box?  Should I mount
> connectors [doesn't seem very good to me ... PL-259 exposed to the
> weather], or are there weatherproof entrance fittings.  One of the cables
> will be 120 VAC, probably a heavy extension cord [for 12V supply and the
> fixture to light the flag at night.
> >
>
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