[amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna Sealing Coax

[Jim Sanford]

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
wb4gcs at 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" <wa6fwf at sbcglobal.net>
> To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> 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 <wa6fwf at sbcglobal.net>
>>> To: amsat-bb at 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
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>
> _______________________________________________
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