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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
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wrote in message ... [...] But there is that black goop. It sticks real well, and is waterproof, and yet removes easily. Does anyone know where to get that stuff, or know of anything else I can use? Do you mean Self Amalgamating Tape? http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr1691.html That's the stuff I always use on plugs/sockets if they are exposed to the weather. Its looks a bit like electrical PVC tape, but it doesn't have the glue; instead you stretch it and it sticks to itself, eventually forming a fairly solid 'blob' of waterproofing. Easy to get off with a knife. |
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#3
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Right, sometimes called self fusing tape in America. I've used a
silicone type that's suitable for buried video cable. That one's red. Richard |
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Need goop to coat antenna connector
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#5
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On 14 Feb 2005 16:47:40 GMT, Allodoxaphobia wrote:
On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 04:00:26 -0600, wrote: I dont know how to explain this stuff, but there is some sort of black or gray putty like goop that I have seen that is used to seal things. I know they use it on furnace ducts and the like. Visit a decent hardware store (probably not a Big Box place) and ask the Olde Timer back in the electrical dept. for some "Elephant ****". It's a grey, 1/2 brick-sized piece of putty-like stuff. Just got back from the HW store (on some other errand.) Whilst there I checked: None of the "kids" ever heard of "Elephant ****", but the Olde Timer did. And, it's probably not found in the electrical dept. It is as you thought 'duct seal', and it comes in 1 lb bricks. One brick ought to last you a lifetime -- even if you're an Amateur Radio Operator with a decent antenna farm. Jonesy -- | Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux | Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | OS/2 __ | 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK |
#6
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wrote in message ... I dont know how to explain this stuff, but there is some sort of black or gray putty like goop that I have seen that is used to seal things. I know they use it on furnace ducts and the like. What I have is a automotive CB antenna mounted on my metal rain gutter on my house. It's not for CB, but is for my police scanner. Considering it's not really tuned for scanner, I am amazed how well it picks up distant signals. However, I have a problem. The antenna works fine in dry weather, and even in rain. However, it gets screwy from snow. I am fully aware of why. It's because the snow piles up at the base and touches the connector where the coax hooks to the antenna. You might be reaching the wrong conclusion. The problem could be snow static which is an accumulation of static charge or the discharge of charged particles. |
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wrote in message ... I dont know how to explain this stuff, but there is some sort of black or gray putty like goop that I have seen that is used to seal things. I know they use it on furnace ducts and the like. "COAX Seal" is what your looking for. It's black and sticky (sorta like tar) and sold in a roll. It's great stuff. What I have is a automotive CB antenna mounted on my metal rain gutter on my house. It's not for CB, but is for my police scanner. Considering it's not really tuned for scanner, I am amazed how well it picks up distant signals. However, I have a problem. The antenna works fine in dry weather, and even in rain. However, it gets screwy from snow. I am fully aware of why. It's because the snow piles up at the base and touches the connector where the coax hooks to the antenna. There is a large nut down there and it is exposed. It's located less than an inch from the rain gutter when mounted, so it dont take much snow to screw things up. If rain doesn't affect it, I'm surprised that snow does. AFAIK, snow is non-conductive until it melts. What I need is a means to insulate it. I could use silicone caulk, and I know that would work well, but I want something that can be removed so I can get that nut off if I need to. I know because it is so close to the mounting bracket I could not get a decent wrap of electrical tape, and also know that tape tends to hold moisture once a little water gets in. But there is that black goop. It sticks real well, and is waterproof, and yet removes easily. Does anyone know where to get that stuff, or know of anything else I can use? Radio Shack carries it and you can get it from Amateur supply houses. If nothing else, I'm sure you could find it he http://www.coaxseal.com PS. I am terrible at math. What wavelength is a CB antenna on a scanner? What I mean, is referring to half wave, quarter wave, etc... Anyone ??? That would depend upon the frequency your trying to receive and the type of CB antenna. If your CB antenna is just a 1/4 wave (on CB) ground plane, then it will likely be anywhere from ~1/4 wave at 30Mhz to many wavelengths long on a trunk system. |
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"Anthony Fremont" wrote in message ... wrote in message ... [..] http://www.coaxseal.com That stuff seem to be the same as the self amalgamating tape I posted about earlier - I'm guessing its about the same sort of suff, just under a different name. |
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On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 16:41:13 -0500, Charles Schuler wrote:
wrote in message ... .............. However, I have a problem. The antenna works fine in dry weather, and even in rain. However, it gets screwy from snow. I am fully aware of why. It's because the snow piles up at the base and touches the connector where the coax hooks to the antenna. You might be reaching the wrong conclusion. The problem could be snow static which is an accumulation of static charge or the discharge of charged particles. Yep. My ham shack is down in the basement, and on these dark, cold winter evenings, I can usually tell when it's snowing -- from the pop-snap-pop-pop-snap-snap.... I hear from either the 6 meter or the 2 meter rigs (or both.) I can also tell how _hard_ it's snowing - by the repetition rate. Less frequently, I'll observe the same effect with light rain. I have _never_ had 'piled-up' snow cause any such problems. Since you are _only_ using the antenna for receive, you could try running an RF choke from the base of the antenna to ground (to the outer braid of the feedline.) That could lessen the annoyance. Jonesy -- | Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux | Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | OS/2 __ | 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK |
#10
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"Harvey" wrote in message ... "Anthony Fremont" wrote in message ... wrote in message ... [..] http://www.coaxseal.com That stuff seem to be the same as the self amalgamating tape I posted about earlier - I'm guessing its about the same sort of suff, just under a different name. I think it's different. The coax seal is kinda thick 1/8". The tape your talking about is much like electrical tape that permanently bonds to itself after some time, isn't it? |
#11
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"Anthony Fremont" wrote in message ... "Harvey" wrote in message ... "Anthony Fremont" wrote in message ... wrote in message ... [..] http://www.coaxseal.com That stuff seem to be the same as the self amalgamating tape I posted about earlier - I'm guessing its about the same sort of suff, just under a different name. I think it's different. The coax seal is kinda thick 1/8". The tape your talking about is much like electrical tape that permanently bonds to itself after some time, isn't it? The stuff I have is about 1/8" thick too, separated with a thin plastic film to stop it sticking together. The roll I have is about 15 years old (and still as good as new). I've had no need to buy any since so although I assume the stuff on the market these days is the same as I have, but I don't honestly know. This stuff I have actually 'melts' into itself over time, forming a solid blob after a few years that sticks to the coax but doesn't actually stick to the metal parts, and can be cut and pealed away if needed. I have also seen a sort-of duct tape / gaffer tape used before - that was like the normal duct tape but without the shiny backing - so it stuck to everything as a horrible gooey mess - not recommended - as it's a almost imposable to remove without getting it stuck to your fingers, hands, clothes, hair, carpet, dog, cat..... |
#12
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"Harvey" wrote in message ... "Anthony Fremont" wrote in message That stuff seem to be the same as the self amalgamating tape I posted about earlier - I'm guessing its about the same sort of suff, just under a different name. I think it's different. The coax seal is kinda thick 1/8". The tape your talking about is much like electrical tape that permanently bonds to itself after some time, isn't it? The stuff I have is about 1/8" thick too, separated with a thin plastic film to stop it sticking together. That sounds about the same, but the seperator is like wax paper. The roll I have is about 15 years old (and still as good as new). I've had no need to buy any since so although I assume the stuff on the market these days is the same as I have, but I don't honestly know. The coax seal seems to have a long shelf life as well. This stuff I have actually 'melts' into itself over time, forming a solid blob after a few years that sticks to the coax but doesn't actually stick to the metal parts, and can be cut and pealed away if needed. This is where it sounds a bit different. The coax seal bonds instantly to itself. You just wrap it around and then massage it a bit like putty and it's just one solid piece after that. I have also seen a sort-of duct tape / gaffer tape used before - that was like the normal duct tape but without the shiny backing - so it stuck to everything as a horrible gooey mess - not recommended - as it's a almost imposable to remove without getting it stuck to your fingers, hands, clothes, hair, carpet, dog, cat..... |
#13
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in addition to (or sometimes in conjunction with) the above mentioned
techniques, 3m scotchkote is available at better electrical supply sources. it is usually applied after taping up a connection. just paint it on. |
#14
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Charles said "snow static which is an accumulation of static charge or the discharge of charged particles.". Can someone explain what causes the static? I never heard of that. You can Google for precipitation static, rain static, snow static, dust storm static, and so on. Essentially, when there is friction between two bodies (perhaps a snow flake and the atmosphere), electrons get transferred from one atom to another leaving a net charge. When the charged particles strike an antenna, they make nose since the imbalance is corrected by the antenna structure (electrons transfer between the particle and the antenna). |
#16
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You could use silicone caulk. It will get pretty firm when cured and will be
easy to peel off if you need to. You can also use roofing sealer, which is a black, tarry substance. However, that appears more sticky and difficult to remove. Or try plumber's putty. It is designed to be used in wet conditions. -- Say no to fixed width tables. They look terrible in all browsers. |
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