Yeah its pretty neat stuff.  

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steve Forst
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 12:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Some updates from KB8TYJ

Tom,

The tape Barb mentioned can be had at any Homo Depot or electrical 
supply.   Comes on a roll like electrical tape.  When you stretch it, it 
activates and sticks to itself and whatever you apply it to.  Besides
silicone tape, it's sometimes called splicing tape, self vulcanizing tape,
or fusion tape.

The other stuff that was mentioned some time ago is butyl rubber sheets (no
not the kind you put on your bed when you were 3).  This stuff can be found
at Champion Radio:

http://www.championradio.com/shop/Weatherproofing.6

Look down the page for "vapor wrap".

73, glad you seem to have things in hand.
Steve KW3A

On 3/19/2011 10:26 AM, tom behler wrote:
>          Barb:
>
> Yeah, Steve and some others on the list have mentioned that sort of 
> tape, and what I really need to do is check back in my saved file for 
> the info and just order some.
>
> Will see how things progress from here.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Barbara Lombardi"<[log in to unmask]> 
> To:<[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 10:03 AM
> Subject: Re: Some updates from KB8TYJ
>
>
> Sounds like good progress tom. And last weekend, a ham friend used 
> this silicon tape, it sticks to itself and stretches so that there's 
> just the tension around what you are connecting it to.  Guess its like 
> shrink wrap and supposed to be very water resistant.  The tape part feels
like rubber.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of tom behler
> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2011 7:00 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Some updates from KB8TYJ
>
> Hi, all.
>
> Well, I have a ffew updates for the list on the various station issues 
> I have been wrestling with lately, and the news seems to be reasonably
good.
>
> First, I think I finally got to the source of the RFI problem in my 
> station, especially on 20 meters, when using the alpha Delta DXCC 
> antenna.  It turns out the the problem was with my Heil FS2 foot 
> switch.  It's a long story, but there appears to be a short in the 
> amplifier cable, which causes the switch to malfunction, and which also
has led to a floating ground of sorts.
>
> I've been working with Kevin (K7RX) on this, and even Bob Heil from 
> Heil Sound, and the foot switch is now going to the Heil Hospital for 
> either repair or replacement.  Fortunately, it's under warranty.
>
> Second, I believe I have just taken some major steps toward solving 
> the feed line problem with my Carolina Windom 160 compact antenna.  
> Yesterday afternoon, a local ham helped me  replace the feed line 
> connector, and the antenna seems to be working again.  Some of the 
> SWR's are a bit different now than my original readings, but the SWR's 
> on some bands are actually better.  For example, even though the true 
> SWR's on 160 are still a bit high, I can actually tune the antenna with
the TS480 auto-tuner.
>
> The problem with the antenna was just as we suspected, and as Terry 
> Robinson on the list described earlier.  Water apparently got in at 
> the feed point connection, thereby causing things to arc.  In fact, we 
> actually found some water still dripping out of the connection.  We  
> put a new connector on the feed line, and tried to thoroughly re-seal 
> the feed point connection, first with liquid tape, and then with the 
> black coax seal stuff.  I don't know if my help ultimately put 
> electrical tape on the connection but I am thinking that he did.  Time 
> obviously will tell if things are truly working again, but with the 
> fairly reasonable SWR's I'm getting, I can't believe that the matching
unit was severely damaged or fried.
>
> Finally, with regard to today's round table, I am not totally sure if 
> I'll be there or not.  Due to the antenna work yesterday afternoon, I 
> am now behind on some other things I need to get done, and those 
> things might have to be taken care of this afternoon.  If I can be 
> there, I will, especially since it will give me a chance to test the 
> Windom on 40 meters, but I simply can't guarantee it.  So, if someone 
> else can be around to take the helm, I'd appreciate that.  Don't 
> forget that we'll be competing with the Virginia QSO Party, and the
Oklahoma QSO Party.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>