I've had people do the same thing here, I generally let it go and hoped for
the best and have yet to have any problem, my 10 meter vertical was up
there with nothing but good electrical tape on that connector for almost 10
years with no problem. A lot of them I don't even bother with and it seems
the ones I have the least trouble with I don't seal at all.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 10:30 PM
Subject: Small dilemma; Need some advice
> Hi, all.
>
> Well, to make a very long story short, I have decided to take my
> troublesome
> Carolina Windom 160 compact antenna down, and am in the process of
> replacing
> it with a 160-meter sloper, and an 80-meter sloper that I purchased at a
> swap in my area last week-end.
>
> We are in the middle of the antenna replacement process, but I'm hoping it
> should be done by later tomorrow.
>
> All has gone well, except for one small issue, which I'm torn about how to
> deal with. This is the kind of issue where we've all been there when
> trying
> to deal with volunteer help who doesn't do things like we would.
>
> Anyway, my friend installed the 160-meter sloper at the top of my 40-foot
> mast, but when I asked him how he sealed the coax connection at the feed
> point, he said that he coated the connector with a dialectric grease, and
> then tightly wrapped three layers of electrical tape around the
> connection.
> The tape he used was some real good 3 M tape that I had gotten a while
> ago.
> I had wanted him to put coax seal on top of the tape, but he would not do
> it, arguing that what he did should be fine.
>
> Obviously, my concern is that the electrical tape eventually will
> deteriorate, and let water into the connection.
>
> I'm trying to figure out a tactful way to bring up this issue again with
> him
> when he comes back tomorrow, but, at the same time, I don't want to offend
> him, since he has done so much for me already.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas as to how to tactfully handle the situation?
> Obviously, if just having the electrical tape was good enough, I wouldn't
> stress about it, but I would sure hate to be introducing unnecessary
> problems into the situation here.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
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