[Icom] PW-1 SO-239 discoloration

alexander eban [email protected]
Sun, 7 Apr 2002 18:17:52 +0200 

	Hi John:
	Discoloration of connectors is something very usual. Even the silver
plated connectors made by Amphenol get grayish in time. Tarnishing is
something you can't avoid. The actual color you get in the end depends =
on
the base material the connector's body is made of. If it gets brownish =
the
body is probably die cast from some material with a high ferrous =
content.
Not necessarily bad! What I would suggest is a light layer of penetrant =
oil
and putting a Champagne cork on the unused connectors to prevent them =
from
getting dirty. For the most part the new SO-239 are made from an alloy =
with
a high zinc content and they tend to become gray in time, while others =
are
made from ferrous materials under the nickel coating, and these can =
become
brownish!
Alex Eban  4Z5KS
RF Chief Engineer
Wireless Division
M.T.I. Computers
Tel: +972 3 9025555ext321
Fax: +972 3 9025051
Email: [email protected] <[email protected]>=20

	-----Original Message-----
	From:	WA9ALS - John [SMTP:[email protected]]
	Sent:	=E0 07 =E0=F4=F8=E9=EC 2002 15:38
	To:	[email protected]; [email protected]
	Subject:	[Icom] PW-1 SO-239 discoloration

	Much of the time I have PL-259 connections to SO-239 connectors 1
and 4 of
	my PW-1's antenna switch.  When I'm contesting, I usually also have
PL-259s
	attached to 2 and 3.

	Is it normal for the SO-239s that are unused to discolor brownish?
Today I
	noticed that the areas of connectors 1 and 4 that are exposed to the
air are
	brownish, but the part that's usually under a PL-259 is
pristine/shiny
	silver.  Connectors 2 and 3, that are only used during contesting
and
	uncovered the rest of the time, are completely discolored.  Other
SO-239s in
	the shack are not discolored like this, although some are much
older, e.g.
	on my tuner.

	Normal for the PW-1 connectors??  Any way to clean them up?
Protective
	lubricant to use?
	Thanks!  73 - John (WA9ALS)
	[email protected]


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