For what it's worth, I'll add my two cents:
After assembling and tuning a 2 meter Ringo antenna, I wiped it down with
rubbing alcohol and then sprayed it with urethane spar (marine) varnish, which
I bought at K-mart. I used an entire can (12 ounces maybe). The antenna
performed well through twenty years of northeastern Ohio weather. That's when
we moved and I had to take it down. Although there were a few places where the
coating was wearing thin, most of it was still intact. I ended up throwing out
the antenna because I couldn't get the darn PL-259 off. Between the tape and
varnish, that bugger was set for life. I've also used this method on other
antennas with excellent results; however the Ringo was up much longer than any
of the others.
If any of you want to try this, I offer two suggestions. First. and this is
important, make sure the antenna is oil and grease free by wiping it down
thoroughly with alcohol before applying the spar varnish. Afterwards, wear
gloves or use a rag to handle it. Second, you might want to consider applying
two coats of varnish, leaving sufficient time between coats for the antenna and
feed-point connections to dry.
73 and aloha, Eric KH6CQ
--- On Mon, 5/5/08, Wayne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> From: Wayne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: antenna question - Dip It and Scotch Kote
> and Krylon
> To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, May 5, 2008, 2:56 AM
> This topic reminds me, a friend said he painted his copper J
> Pole, and it
> never worked after that.
> The type of paint, and other factors determine what is
> and what is not
> safe to use on an antenna.
> The only thing I have done is used a tad of NoAlox in
> joints on antennas.
> Years ago, I did cover the base of the connector on a
> Ringo antenna with
> some Silicone sealer.
> I don't know if it was from that or something else,
> but when I moved the
> antenna later, I was never able to get it to work right
> again. Now I am
> leery about using items on antennas that were not made for
> such types of
> items.
> I do have some sealing kits to use on my Heliax
> connectors, but the kits
> are from Andrew, and consist of a sealer similar to the
> coax seal, and
> some plastic tape that goes over that.
> The only other thing I have used has been a bit of
> silicone grease in
> some spots, and always taped exposed coax connectors with
> at least two
> layers of tape.
> YMMV
>
> Wayne WA2YNE
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