[Lowfer] RX Loops

[Archie]

I have not read of the use of silicone used to seal connections I know
of a lot of horror stories about it but I use it all the time to cover
wires outside I have had some out side now for over ten years and when
the connection is opened up to repair or save some part for another time
the parts are still bright and clean.  I have used it on phasing harness
for my two meter beams and had no trouble there either.  And it is the
stuff that smells like vinegar.  In the finial insulation you want the
wires coming out of the bottom of the gob so water can't work its way up
into the gob along the wires if you can do it that way. If not normally
if you clean the wires of oils the silicone will seal itself and the
wire so no water can get in.

Now tempery connections Vaseline or any grease will work Vaseline is
cleaner to work with.

One other thing if you have a taped joint with plastic tape like
(general use vinyl electrical tape) spraying the finial layer with clear
lacquer will melt the tape and seal it from weather.  I sometimes seal
one layer then put on another then seal it the same way for double
protection.

Archie K9VQR

Soon 185.306

-----Original Message-----
From: lowfer-admin@mailman.qth.net [mailto:lowfer-admin@mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Peter Barick
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 10:22 AM
To: lowfer@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Lowfer] RX Loops

** Was "Band Conditions" **
Mike says:
"
I bought a bunch of brass hardware today to replace the rusted
crap out there now. ... I'll put a dab of Vaseline on every
connection so it stays nice and clean this time.
"
Ditto. On my flattop, I found lots of rust inside some house-wire nuts,
enough to prevent unscrewing. I also used tape overall. Got to try
sompin different.

"
Could I build a RX loop out of cat-3 or cat-5 cable?
Mike>WE0H
"
Too heavy for multi turn loop.

If you're thinking about a rx loop for comparison as Dex suggests, why
not choose the tried multi turn design, say a box type? A 6-foot box of
say 300+ feet of no. 20 wire is a start. Plan on 18-20 turns for the arm
spreaders. Painted 1X3s for the arms or 1-inch pvc pipes w/ T-ends. In a
pinch, Home stores' un-sheathed twisted bell wire (solid) can be
unwound, joined and used.

Myself: I've got a 1-turn coax-loop constructed. Waiting on parts from
Mouser for the Mitch-type preamp. The former used is 3/4 and =BD inch =
pvc
with slight wood backup frame to keep things square. All wood screwed
together and painted w/ latex paint.

Peter
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