| Author |
Message |
Frank B Denman
Guest
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 Posted:
Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:00 am Post subject:
How to weatherproof RG6 Quad connections |
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I'm finally repairing my rooftop TV antenna that collapsed last winter.
I've got a new antenna, 500 feet of RG6QS, a bag of appropriately sized
F-Conn connectors and a matching compression tool, but no idea of
whether I'll need to take additional weatherproofing measures when these
connectors are exposed to rain.
F-Conn's literature describes the connectors as "weatherproof," but I
suspect they're talking about the connection between the F-conn
connector and the cable to which it is attached.
I'm primarily concerned about the connection to the balun at the
external antenna.
I can imagine packing the joint with some kind of silicone grease or
even potting it with silicone rubber sealant.
I'd really appreciate knowing what the trade practice is.
Thanks.
Frank
Frank Denman
Denman Systems
(please remove the x from my email address)
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Tomi Holger Engdahl
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Jan 18, 2005 2:38 pm Post subject:
Re: How to weatherproof RG6 Quad connections |
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Frank B Denman <usenet@denmansystemsx.com> writes:
| Quote: | I'm finally repairing my rooftop TV antenna that collapsed last winter.
I've got a new antenna, 500 feet of RG6QS, a bag of appropriately sized
F-Conn connectors and a matching compression tool, but no idea of
whether I'll need to take additional weatherproofing measures when these
connectors are exposed to rain.
F-Conn's literature describes the connectors as "weatherproof," but I
suspect they're talking about the connection between the F-conn
connector and the cable to which it is attached.
I'm primarily concerned about the connection to the balun at the
external antenna.
I can imagine packing the joint with some kind of silicone grease or
even potting it with silicone rubber sealant.
I'd really appreciate knowing what the trade practice is.
|
I don't know what are the current trade practices on typical TV
antenna installations, but I have some knowledge on antenna installation
that go outside. The typical techniques for protecting antenna
connectors placed outside are wrapping them with a self vulcanizing
insulation tape or cover them with a heat shrinking tube that has
glue inside it. Those will make a waterproof protection for the connector
when installed correctly.
--
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at
http://www.epanorama.net/ |
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James Knott
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Jan 18, 2005 5:01 pm Post subject:
Re: How to weatherproof RG6 Quad connections |
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Frank B Denman wrote:
| Quote: | I'm primarily concerned about the connection to the balun at the
external antenna.
I can imagine packing the joint with some kind of silicone grease or
even potting it with silicone rubber sealant.
|
Go to a store that carries amateur radio supplies. You'll likely find rolls
of stuff designed for that purpose. It wraps around the cable & connectors
and forms a tight weather proof seal. I might have also seen it at Radio
Shack. |
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Robert Redelmeier
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:02 pm Post subject:
Re: How to weatherproof RG6 Quad connections |
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Frank B Denman <usenet@denmansystemsx.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I'm primarily concerned about the connection to the balun
at the external antenna.
|
AFAIK best practice is to put unavoidable connectors horizontal
at a local high point with drip loops. The loops minimize
the amount of water flowing by the connector, and horizontal
improves draining (no standing water).
| Quote: | I can imagine packing the joint with some kind of silicone
grease or even potting it with silicone rubber sealant.
|
Grease by all means. RTV is an adhesive and if you use it,
leave service loops because you will have to cut the joint--
if not to take it apart, then to reassemble.
-- Robert |
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Ed Nielsen
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject:
Re: How to weatherproof RG6 Quad connections |
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Rubber seals such as these: <http://www.cencom94.com/gpage1.html> are
what you're looking for.
Silicon grease is also a good thing to do on an outdoor connection,
especially if it is a CATV connection. Keeping the connection(s)
horizontal is also rather important.
CIAO!
Ed
Frank B Denman wrote:
| Quote: | I'm finally repairing my rooftop TV antenna that collapsed last winter.
I've got a new antenna, 500 feet of RG6QS, a bag of appropriately sized
F-Conn connectors and a matching compression tool, but no idea of
whether I'll need to take additional weatherproofing measures when these
connectors are exposed to rain.
F-Conn's literature describes the connectors as "weatherproof," but I
suspect they're talking about the connection between the F-conn
connector and the cable to which it is attached.
I'm primarily concerned about the connection to the balun at the
external antenna.
I can imagine packing the joint with some kind of silicone grease or
even potting it with silicone rubber sealant.
I'd really appreciate knowing what the trade practice is.
Thanks.
Frank |
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Dale Farmer
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:02 am Post subject:
Re: How to weatherproof RG6 Quad connections |
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Frank B Denman wrote:
| Quote: | I'm finally repairing my rooftop TV antenna that collapsed last winter.
I've got a new antenna, 500 feet of RG6QS, a bag of appropriately sized
F-Conn connectors and a matching compression tool, but no idea of
whether I'll need to take additional weatherproofing measures when these
connectors are exposed to rain.
F-Conn's literature describes the connectors as "weatherproof," but I
suspect they're talking about the connection between the F-conn
connector and the cable to which it is attached.
I'm primarily concerned about the connection to the balun at the
external antenna.
I can imagine packing the joint with some kind of silicone grease or
even potting it with silicone rubber sealant.
I'd really appreciate knowing what the trade practice is.
Thanks.
Frank
|
3M makes this wonderful silicon rubber tape. I forget the trade name,
but better electronics and radio stores ought to have it in stock. It is like
thick electrical tape with waxed paper separating the layers. You wrap
it around the connector ( removing the waxed paper ) and over the course
of the next few days ( modulo ambient temperature) it turns itself into a
single waterproof coating. They also sell it in marine stores for waterproofing
boat trailer connections.
--Dale |
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Jeff Liebermann
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:02 am Post subject:
Re: How to weatherproof RG6 Quad connections |
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On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 23:25:30 -0800, Frank B Denman
<usenet@denmansystemsx.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I'm finally repairing my rooftop TV antenna that collapsed last winter.
I've got a new antenna, 500 feet of RG6QS, a bag of appropriately sized
F-Conn connectors and a matching compression tool, but no idea of
whether I'll need to take additional weatherproofing measures when these
connectors are exposed to rain.
F-Conn's literature describes the connectors as "weatherproof," but I
suspect they're talking about the connection between the F-conn
connector and the cable to which it is attached.
I'm primarily concerned about the connection to the balun at the
external antenna.
|
Actually, they're very waterproof if you remember to orient the
connectors horizontally so that they drain water, and to provide a
drip loop that directs water away from the connector.
Everyone has their favorite method of waterproofing. I have a really
bad attitude about sticky goo that does the job, but makes the
connector difficult to repair and makes a big mess. There's a better
way.
I use 1" wide teflon pipe wrap as the bottom layer. I spiral it
around the connector with about 50% overlap. On top of that, I wrap
it with 3M 66 electrical tape. The TFE provides the waterproofing and
prevents capillary action from sucking water into the connector. The
tape just holds it in place. If it's necessary to repair the
connection, the TFE does not stick to the connector, which looks brand
new when the tape is removed.
Incidentally, you can use cellophane wrap in place of the TFE in an
emergency repair, but I wouldn't leave it like that. It tends to
deteriorate.
--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831.336.2558 voice http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
# jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# jeffl@cruzio.com AE6KS |
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Frank B Denman
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:06 am Post subject:
Re: How to weatherproof RG6 Quad connections |
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On Wed, 19 Jan 2005 06:08:50 GMT, Dale Farmer <dale@cybercom.net> wrote:
| Quote: |
3M makes this wonderful silicon rubber tape. I forget the trade name,
but better electronics and radio stores ought to have it in stock. It is like
thick electrical tape with waxed paper separating the layers. You wrap
it around the connector ( removing the waxed paper ) and over the course
of the next few days ( modulo ambient temperature) it turns itself into a
single waterproof coating. They also sell it in marine stores for waterproofing
boat trailer connections.
------------ |
Found it! It's Scotch 2228 Rubber Tape with Mastic Adhesive.
Per 3M directions, I wrapped the connector with the above, stretching it
to the max. Then wrapped the resulting lump with Scotch 88 tape, then
painted the tape with Scotchkote Electrical Coating. (Part No
054007-43906).
thanks to everybody for all the suggestions.
Frank
Frank Denman
Denman Systems
(please remove the x from my email address) |
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