[Lowfer] receive antenna transmission line maintenance

[Michael Sapp]

Stan, W1LE wrote:
>Do you think a light coating of silicone dielectric grease would more 
>permanently solve that corrosion problem ?

>Two dissimilar metals, plus the electrolyte acid rain = galvanic corrosion.
>The grease would keep out the acid rain/moisture.

>I would even consider the grease treatment and a waterproof taping
>on all coaxial joints exposed to the elements.

>Stan, W1LE    Stan, I suppose it can't hurt. Rad Shack & others sell the male cable F connectorspre-silicone-gelled. IMHO it seems in part to stem from the low signal level nature ofa feedline for a passive rx antenna---not enough uVs and pico-amps to overcome the residual resistanceat the F center pin interface that eventually builds up.  Sometimes it seems thermal expansion/contractioninduced with weather temp changes cause the RG6 center conductor to move slightly and change resistanceat the physical connector interface.    I know if I give the rx antenna transmission lines a mild jolt once a week that it solves the problem. If I ran my AL-82 amp on HF more often, the induced milliwatts into the rx antenna would likely be enough power to prevent the issue. John, XIQ, mentioned to me in an e-mail a few minutes ago he turns his rx antenna towards his tx antenna during  tuneup to clean the relay contacts on his rx system as a similar preventative measure....    Likely a good reason for me to put some relays in the receive antenna transformer boxes for directional switching---the regularDC power cycling of the relays with a DC up the coax arrangement would be an automatic maintenance solution....Perhaps others on the list will share their experiences on the subject.....73  Mike wa3tts