[Hallicrafters] Antenna info ?

[Glen Zook]

An inexpensive waterproofing material is the very
"cheap" black plastic electrical tape that sells for
49 cents at the home improvement centers.  You want
the type that just has "UL" (for Underwriter's
Laboratory) stamped on the inside of the center roll. 
DO NOT use a 3-M product.

The long-time commercial antenna manufacturer, Decibel
Products, put a roll of this type of tape in with
every VHF and UHF antenna that they sold for many
years to waterproof the coax connections.  During the
later years, they did start supplying the sheets of
black plasticized material for waterproofing, but for
at least 40 years they supplied the black plastic
tape.

The "cheap" tape, when exposed to the "elements" for
two or three weeks, "congeals" into a "gooey mess"
that just happens to make a very waterproof seal.  The
"better" 3-M tape does just the opposite.  After
several weeks exposure to the elements it often looses
its adhesive ability and comes "undone".  I have taken
apart connections on commercial antennas that have
been protected for years (sometimes well in excess of
20 years) by this "cheap" tape and they look like the
day they were first installed!

You need to start about 2 inches "up" on the coax when
applying the tape.  Then, come across the connectors
and go about 2 inches to the other side.  Next,
without cutting the tape, reverse and add another
layer.  Continue to do this reversal until you have 5
or 6 layers of tape applied.

After the tape "sets up", you will have to remove it
by cutting through the seal with a "razor" knife
because it will have "congealed" into a virtual solid.
 But, the connection will be waterproof!

I have 8 Heliax runs up my main tower that will have
been up for 30 years later this Spring.  Some of the
connections have not been un-taped since they were
first installed.  Other connections have been re-done
at various times over the years.  Each one of these
was protected with the "cheap" tape and each one has
never had any water in it.

Anyway, there are several methods that can be used to
waterproof r.f. connectors.  The "cheap" black plastic
tape just happens to be among the least, if not THE
least, expensive.

Glen, K9STH


--- rdhalste <rdhalste at tm.net> wrote:

There is also the liquid electrical tape.  It used to
be available at Marine stores and supply houses, but
hardware outlets are starting to carry it.

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