General Question on water proofing coax connectors
In your experience, what is the most effective way to waterproof coax connectors?
How often does it have to be done?
Is it reasonably easy to remove? i.e. not permanent
Thanks
Butch K8KO
Last fall I did the electric tape+coax seal method and the connections were perfectly fine when I opened them this spring. Not the longest 'soak' time, but having the tape UNDER the coax seal sure made it come off easy!
73, Don KB2YSI
On Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 15:41 Butch via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
In your experience, what is the most effective way to waterproof coax connectors?
How often does it have to be done?
Is it reasonably easy to remove? i.e. not permanent
Thanks
Butch K8KO _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I have generally used Coax-Seal (name brand). It looks like tar and comes in tape form. Molds like clay. Does not harden with cold or rain, does not get soft with heat or sun, seals completely and lasts a long time.
I had it on my HF and satellite cables and antennas. After 15 years the connectors looked like new when I took it all down. Testing cables later (9913 type cable) showed cables had like new specs, showing there was no water ingress. I am sure there’s more than one way to be successful, but I know that this works.
Dan
Sent from here. NM3A
On Jun 14, 2018, at 15:47, Don KB2YSI kb2ysi@gmail.com wrote:
Last fall I did the electric tape+coax seal method and the connections were perfectly fine when I opened them this spring. Not the longest 'soak' time, but having the tape UNDER the coax seal sure made it come off easy!
73, Don KB2YSI
On Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 15:41 Butch via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
In your experience, what is the most effective way to waterproof coax connectors?
How often does it have to be done?
Is it reasonably easy to remove? i.e. not permanent
Thanks
Butch K8KO _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
On 06/14/18 14:40, Butch via AMSAT-BB wrote:
In your experience, what is the most effective way to waterproof coax connectors?
How often does it have to be done?
Is it reasonably easy to remove? i.e. not permanent
I like to orient my connectors facing down, preferably under an overhang.
I then wrap the connector and coax in 1/2 overlap fashion with 3M Rubber Splicing tape (#2155). You must stretch it to about 2/3rds of its original width to "activate" it before wrapping. I start the wrap on the coax, about 2" from the start of the connector, and wrap upward until it completely covers the connector and seals the interface between the female and male parts of the junction.
When I disassembled (Exact-o knife) the outdoor coax connectors after 8 years of wind, rain, and sun exposure, the connectors looked brand new. No water intrusion anywhere that I could tell. I also use silver-plated connectors (PTFE insulator material) wherever possible.
--- Zach N0ZGO
I use liquid electrical tape, or Plasti-Dip from a can (not the spray version). Cheap and after pulling it off you can clean any residue with naphtha. Only disadvantage is that it needs to dry, which takes a bit of time.
Hans
BX2ABT
On 06/15/2018 03:40 AM, Butch via AMSAT-BB wrote:
In your experience, what is the most effective way to waterproof coax connectors?
How often does it have to be done?
Is it reasonably easy to remove? i.e. not permanent
Thanks
Butch K8KO _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (5)
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Butch -
Don KB2YSI -
Hans (BX2ABT) -
Mail -
Zach Metzinger