[Lowfer] Watertight Coax

Wed, 5 Mar 2003 19:14:50 -0600

I use the high voltage self-fusing tape that is sold at Home Depot. It stays
on for years and is watertight. When you need to remove it, it can be picked
off with your fingernails and doesn't leave any adhesive goo on your
connectors or hands for that matter.

Mike>WE0H
http://www.we0h.us/lf

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
Behalf Of Bill Ashlock
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 7:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Lowfer] Watertight Coax

Peter,

> >This reminds me I need to seal the F-connector at the antenna
> > with RTV tonight or I may end up with another disaster.

>To help fight the water-in-the-line thing, I prearrange for some
>enclosed means for attaching the F-plugged coax in an outdoor antenna.
>By this I mean the connector is NOT facing any water dripping on it as
>it's below or inside a drip shield. Just a thought.

Yeah, this was one of those 'quick experiments' that lasted two months! I'm
pretty sure the water dripped down the vertical portion of the wire antenna
past the toroid core (exposed), down to the rear of this 'F' chassis-type
connector. I knew at the time that it wouldn't work, long-term, but you know
....... easy to forget if the antenna works.

I'm surprised the first 100ft of coax is in good shape. The water must have
flowed right through and dried out.

>For me RTV or taping is too problematic in freezing weather and likely
>has to be done w/ bare hands.

I'll buy the problem with tape. Seems to be lousy for keeping out moisture.
Not sure why. The RTV seems to work for me in most cases. I've heard there
is some special putty designed for this application. Have you seen this?

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm about to see if I can pull up the remaining
coax through the snow, as it rained all day.

Bill