Don't use vinyl tape on connectors?

[VK4WDM]

I have just been looking at the assembly instructions for a Cushcraft antenna. In their list of recommendations is: do not use vinyl tape on SO-239 or PL-259 connectors. Why so?

73

Wayne VK4WDM

[VK4TI]

you must use seal amalgamating rubber tape , electrical tape is not water proof

your local electrical supplier will have the rubber tape

[VK4GHZ]

Amongst others

Jaycar: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NM2826
Bunnings: http://www.bunnings.com.au/consolidated ... 6_p1090837

[VK3XL]

you must use seal amalgamating rubber tape , electrical tape is not water proof

your local electrical supplier will have the rubber tape

In addition you should than cover the self amalgamating tape with something like electrical insulating tape. I read somewhere that the self amalgamating tape degrades with exposure to UV.
So electrical tape works like a sacrificial anode to protect the self amalgamating tape. FWIW

[VK4EA]

Use black PVC tape over the Butyl, as it's not really UV resistant. The PVC slows the degradation down and adds another layer of water proofing.

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[VK4WDM]

Yes, I use good quality self-amalgamating tape on all my connectors and cover with black PVC tape, and often use heat-shrink as well.

I just thought that this was a weird comment to make without any attempt to say why, or better still, suggest an alternative. I have emailed Cushcraft to suggest that they expand the comment to include the proper water-proofing technique.

73

Wayne VK4WDM

[VK6SIX]

Since about 1978 i have used aluminox inside every joint then blutack on every external joint on every piece of aluminium on every antenna i have built.

Every feedpoint of every antena also sealed with liberal amounts of blutack.

Rough as guts yuo might say but i reckon i can show you nice shiny joints under the blutack on some old 1986 aluminum antenna parts i have here.

Buy 6 packs blutack in january when its on special at officeworks etc cheaper when the kids school books etc specials are on.

Then i sealed them with black insulation tape.

You say bull**it now but its true...


Igor, you tell em its true!

[VK4WDM]

I suppose one could say that comment sounds a bit tacky

When I first read the Cushcraft comment I thought that they were saying that you shouldn't use vinyl tape because of some sort of electrical effect.

73

Wayne VK4WDM

[ZL2TDA]

The way to check for 'some electrical effect' is to put a bunch of it in the microwave and cook it for a couple of minutes and see if it gets hot.
Another thing is, a lot of people use RTV silastic to seal wire connections but some brands of that are quite acidic and can cause corrosion.
We don't have those nasty big white parrots here in NZ that pick everything to bits either.
Denis ZL2TDA

[VK4EA]

We don't have those clever Keas here, I reckon they'd give the cockies a lesson or two in destructive behaviour [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

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[VK4UH]

Asguys above

I have also always covered PIB (self-amalg) tape with simple black electricians insulating tape in the belief that it will reduce the UV degradation of the PIB.

Clearly it is anything but water proof.

I like the Blu-Tac idea though and intend to give that a try too!

KJ VK4UH
Brisbane

[VK3AUU]

Oils ain't oils, and neither is plastic insulation tape. You only get what you pay for and if you buy cheap tape it doesn't stand up to UV for very long. I have found however, that 3M brand tape is very good and if you take care applying it with plenty of tension, it lasts a long time.

David

[VK6ADF]

Since about 1978 i have used aluminox inside every joint then blutack on every external joint on every piece of aluminium on every antenna i have built.

Every feedpoint of every antena also sealed with liberal amounts of blutack.

Rough as guts yuo might say but i reckon i can show you nice shiny joints under the blutack on some old 1986 aluminum antenna parts i have here.

[SNIP]

Personally, I am a fan of Denso Tape. I put Aluminox on my joints too Graham and then cover with Denso Tape. Same result shiny aluminium like new. Bluetack is cheaper though.....good idea.

[VK4BXI]

I have to note there is a new kid on the block !
Its a silicon based tape that sticks and amalgamates to its self only. Its is seriously waterproof but comes off easily because it doesn't stick to anything else. I've seen it in Bunnings and other places. I now use it exclusively.

Bob

[VK6ZFG]

Yes, Graham VK6SIX is a keen fan of blue tack. But then Graham ........

I always go for covering the self molding tape with PVC tape (black). The trick with putting the PVC tape on is not to stretch the last few turns so as to avoid any tension in them. Also cut the tape. Don't stretch it to cut it for the same reason. A good idea is to add cable tie (black) over the last few turn as extra insurance.

I don't recommend using blue tack on walls. Someone I worked with had a rental and finished up having to replaster the walls due to a tenant having used blue tack. The blue tack impregnated the plaster with oil and he found that paint would not hold when he tried to repaint the walls.

PS: Blue tack, besides what Graham has recommended, is also good for putting in holes etc to keep moisture of items such as external screws on boxes

[VK3ZAZ]

I have just been looking at the assembly instructions for a Cushcraft antenna. In their list of recommendations is: do not use vinyl tape on SO-239 or PL-259 connectors. Why so?

73

Wayne VK4WDM

It shrinks dries out cracks and lets water in

surely you knew that?

[VK4WDM]

Hi Steve,

yes of course I know that, but a comment like that in the assembly instructions is not very helpful to newbies, they should give some brief advice on how best to waterproof the connection. Butternut for instance, include some very good waterproofing goo (like Blu tack, but black) with their antennas plus some jointing compound (which they call "butter its not") plus instructions on how to use them.

I made the post not for my edification, but to spark a discussion on a very important topic which should be helpful to those newer to the hobby. Like you, I have seen a lot of problems that turn out to be due to bad or damaged plugs etc.

73

Wayne VK4WDM

[VK3XL]

I have also seen advise from some amateurs not to tape connectors in any way. The theory being that no matter what you do water will get in eventually and by taping the connector you impede the water getting back out. Not sure I go along with the theory, but there are some out there that believe it.

[VK4EA]

Professionals will certainly scoof that notion

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[ZL2WHO]

DUX petrolatum anti corrosion tape or keeping it simple... POO Tape. http://www.plumbingplustrade.co.nz/imag ... 00x500.jpg
Full of grease and once around a connector the grease can be smeared to become a solid mass.

Mark.