[amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Sealing Coax
On Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 02:21:50PM -0500, Rich/wa4bue wrote: > I am not a fan of COAX Seal, it tends to migrate into the connector. > > In the Hampton Roads area, a NAVY town, we use the old NAVY way: > * Light application of high great Silicon > * Double sided electrical tape rap > * Electrical tape rap > * Spray lacquer over > * Nylon tie on each end > > Great seal! Ew, LX tape. Yuck. Leaves sticky residue when you try to peel it off, loses its sticky and unwraps by itself leaving sticky crap everywhere if you don't. Get proper rubber self-amagamating tape, and do the job once and do it right. -- Gordonjcp MM0YEQ (up here at 57°N we get a bit of weather) ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Sealing Coax
All, Actually, the M2 antennas don't need weatherproofing. The polarity switching cable/ transformers and baluns are made of RG-6 gel filled with commercial compression connectors. This stuff should be bulletproof. The polarity switch and front driven element are sealed. There is no way (and no reason) to weatherproof them. Norm n3ykf On Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 4:42 PM, Gordon JC Pearce wrote: > On Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 02:21:50PM -0500, Rich/wa4bue wrote: > > I am not a fan of COAX Seal, it tends to migrate into the connector. > > > > In the Hampton Roads area, a NAVY town, we use the old NAVY way: > > * Light application of high great Silicon > > * Double sided electrical tape rap > > * Electrical tape rap > > * Spray lacquer over > > * Nylon tie on each end > > > > Great seal! > > Ew, LX tape. Yuck. Leaves sticky residue when you try to peel it off, > loses its sticky and unwraps by itself leaving sticky crap everywhere if > you don't. > > Get proper rubber self-amagamating tape, and do the job once and do it > right. > > -- > Gordonjcp MM0YEQ (up here at 57°N we get a bit of weather) > ___ > Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Sealing Coax
When I lived in Hampton Roads (and was in the Nav) I eventually came on to the following algorithm: 2 layers of good electrical tape 2 layers of coax seal 2 more layers of good electrical tape, each overlapping the under layer. When I retired from the Navy and took the antennas down, connectors that had been in the air for 15 years looked brand new. An additional bennie, if I had to open one up, just a slit with a knife and I could peel the layers back & get access to the connector. When done, just press back into place and cover with 2 more layers of good tape. Worked great for me. Good luck & 73, Jim wb4...@amsat.org On 12/10/2013 2:21 PM, Rich/wa4bue wrote: I am not a fan of COAX Seal, it tends to migrate into the connector. In the Hampton Roads area, a NAVY town, we use the old NAVY way: * Light application of high great Silicon * Double sided electrical tape rap * Electrical tape rap * Spray lacquer over * Nylon tie on each end Great seal! - Original Message - From: "WA6FWF" To: Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Well I look my antennas over each year but they have always been relatively easy to get at even when they were on a glen martin tower on the roof, I could see every other year if it is a major undertaking but based on his call he is in New York, to think you can put a antenna up and ignore it for years in a area with snow and freezing temps stretches reason. I'm also a fan of coax seal and some sort of coating on the elements, When I look my antennas over I'm checking for loose bolts and UV damage to plastic parts and coax, out on the west coast it is the Sun and heat that is the thing to worry about. 73 Kevin WA6FWF On 12/10/2013 10:32 AM, R.T.Liddy wrote: I'm neutral on this topic, but I was curious if the M2 Manual mentioned anything about maintenance. Here are the instructions: http://www.m2inc.com/pdf_manuals/436CP30.pdf There is no mention of maintenance. Of course, it would be a good idea to check things out regularly. But, depending on where the antenna is installed, it could be quite difficult to get to it once it's put up. I can't think of anyone that actually does yearly maintenance on their antennas. My rule of thumb is to anticipate what problems could occur and do what's necessary to avoid them during the initial installation. I always use Coax-Seal and spray the heck out of everything with clear Rustoleum. GL, Bob K8BL From: WA6FWF To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Might I ask what sort of preventative maintenance did you perform each year? 73 Kevin WA6FWF On 12/10/2013 8:46 AM, Lizeth Norman wrote: Purchased a M2 436CP30. Had a failure of the switching block in less than 5 years. White plastic cracked and allowed water to ingress to the switcher. Customer service?? No return call. Pics on request. Norm n3ykf ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Sealing Coax
Sorry, Yes, the double side is Get proper rubber self-amalgamating tape. Should have said that! - Original Message - From: "Gordon JC Pearce" To: Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 4:42 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Sealing Coax On Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 02:21:50PM -0500, Rich/wa4bue wrote: I am not a fan of COAX Seal, it tends to migrate into the connector. In the Hampton Roads area, a NAVY town, we use the old NAVY way: * Light application of high great Silicon * Double sided electrical tape rap * Electrical tape rap * Spray lacquer over * Nylon tie on each end Great seal! Ew, LX tape. Yuck. Leaves sticky residue when you try to peel it off, loses its sticky and unwraps by itself leaving sticky crap everywhere if you don't. Get proper rubber self-amagamating tape, and do the job once and do it right. -- Gordonjcp MM0YEQ (up here at 57°N we get a bit of weather) ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Sealing Coax
Or, you can use the really cheap black plastic tape for weatherproofing. That is, the "no name", "UL approved", tape that is sold by places like Harbor Freight. Such tape was provided by Decibel Products, and other commercial two-way antenna manufacturers, for decades to weatherproof coaxial cable connections. Every antenna came with a roll of this tape included. Since a single roll of this tape was sufficient to weatherproof a number of connections, every tower man that I ever knew had a large box full of unused rolls of tape. The tape was just too useful to throw away. The "cheap stuff" congeals into a waterproof mass after a few days in the sun. More expensive tape often comes loose. One does have to cut through the mass to remove the tape. I have removed this tape from antennas that have been several hundred feet in the air, for decades, and, when removed, the connector looked just like it did when new! Glen, K9STH Website: http://k9sth.com On Tuesday, December 10, 2013 6:23 PM, Jim Sanford wrote: When I lived in Hampton Roads (and was in the Nav) I eventually came on to the following algorithm: 2 layers of good electrical tape 2 layers of coax seal 2 more layers of good electrical tape, each overlapping the under layer. When I retired from the Navy and took the antennas down, connectors that had been in the air for 15 years looked brand new. An additional bennie, if I had to open one up, just a slit with a knife and I could peel the layers back & get access to the connector. When done, just press back into place and cover with 2 more layers of good tape. Worked great for me. Good luck & 73, Jim wb4...@amsat.org On 12/10/2013 2:21 PM, Rich/wa4bue wrote: > I am not a fan of COAX Seal, it tends to migrate into the connector. > > In the Hampton Roads area, a NAVY town, we use the old NAVY way: > * Light application of high great Silicon > * Double sided electrical tape rap > * Electrical tape rap > * Spray lacquer over > * Nylon tie on each end > > Great seal! > > > - Original Message - From: "WA6FWF" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:54 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna > > >> Well I look my antennas over each year but they have always been >> relatively easy to get at even when they were on a glen martin tower >> on the roof, I could see every other year if it is a major >> undertaking but based on his call he is in New York, to think you can >> put a antenna up and ignore it for years in a area with snow and >> freezing temps stretches reason. >> >> I'm also a fan of coax seal and some sort of coating on the >> elements, When I look my antennas over I'm checking for loose bolts >> and UV damage to plastic parts and coax, out on the west coast it is >> the Sun and heat that is the thing to worry about. >> >> 73 Kevin WA6FWF >> >> >> On 12/10/2013 10:32 AM, R.T.Liddy wrote: >>> I'm neutral on this topic, but I was curious if the M2 Manual mentioned >>> anything about maintenance. Here are the instructions: >>> >>> http://www.m2inc.com/pdf_manuals/436CP30.pdf >>> >>> >>> There is no mention of maintenance. Of course, it would be a good idea >>> to check things out regularly. But, depending on where the antenna is >>> installed, it could be quite difficult to get to it once it's put >>> up. I can't think >>> of anyone that actually does yearly maintenance on their antennas. >>> My rule >>> of thumb is to anticipate what problems could occur and do what's >>> necessary >>> to avoid them during the initial installation. I always use >>> Coax-Seal and spray >>> the heck out of everything with clear Rustoleum. >>> >>> GL, Bob K8BL >>> >>> >>> >>> From: WA6FWF >>> To: amsat-bb@amsat.org >>> Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:01 PM >>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna >>> >>> Might I ask what sort of preventative maintenance did you perform >>> each year? >>> >>> 73 Kevin WA6FWF >>> >>> >>> On 12/10/2013 8:46 AM, Lizeth Norman wrote: Purchased a M2 436CP30. Had a failure of the switching block in less than 5 years. White plastic cracked and allowed water to ingress to the switcher. Customer service?? No return call. Pics on request. Norm n3ykf ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>> ___ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the >>> author. >>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>> program! >>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>> ___ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions
[amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Sealing Coax
On Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 04:40:26PM -0800, Glen Zook wrote: > > The "cheap stuff" congeals into a waterproof mass after a few days in the > sun. More expensive tape often comes loose. One does have to cut through > the mass to remove the tape. I have removed this tape from antennas that > have been several hundred feet in the air, for decades, and, when removed, > the connector looked just like it did when new! > > Glen, K9STH What I think is fun about the rubber self-amalgamating tape, is when you cut it off if you've put it on right you can see all the manufacturer's engraving on the connectors in relief in the rubber ;-) -- Gordonjcp MM0YEQ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
