Yagi waterproofing ideas

[Dereka5]

Hello guys,

I've just put a 2 element shortboom Yagi up yesterday for testing purposes and I'm happy with it.

I plan on pulling it down in a day or two to waterproof the feed point, joints, gamma match, etc'.

Weather here in Scotland (UK) is pretty bad for 3/4 of the year, so I need to make sure the Yagi is well protected.

Can anybody offer any pointers for waterproofing & care products that are suitable, please?

 

[sp5it]

Get rid of gamma match and connect coax directly. Don't forget about choke balun.
Than nothing to waterproof except coax end. Since ages I use plasticine for that.
Mike

 

[DXman]

I am using the gamma match on my yagi and what I did with mine was wrap some of that black pipe wrap tape around the gamma rod where it slides in/out. It's kept the water out pretty good for the last 22 yrs now (water was getting inside the rod).
That tape is waterproof. I also drilled some small weep holes along the bottom of the gamma rod.

If you hear Ean & Leighann sometime, tell them hi for me if you could.

 

[Dereka5]

I am using the gamma match on my yagi and what I did with mine was wrap some of that black pipe wrap tape around the gamma rod where it slides in/out. It's kept the water out pretty good for the last 22 yrs now (water was getting inside the rod).
That tape is waterproof. I also drilled some small weep holes along the bottom of the gamma rod.

If you hear Ean & Leighann sometime, tell them hi for me if you could.

Hey,

Thank you for the tip.

Any ideas for sealing the feed point from bad weather please?

I hear 108LA019 and 108SD030, Leigh Anne & Ean, almost daily even though they're about 200 miles north when I point my beam over the North Pole.

They're a big station like 26AT030, 26AT015, 26EK023, 26SW037, 26MP1305, 163LR101 and a few other big stations you might have heard from in the UK.

 

[BJ radionut]

A 2 Element Direct Feed Yagi for Multiple bands by WB2VUO

2-Element HF Yagi Design - K7MEM

2-Element HF Yagi Designs

k7mem.com

 

[BJ radionut]

https://static.dxengineering.com/pdf/weatherproofingcoax-techtip.pdf#:~:text=Weatherproofing%20Your%20Coaxial%20Cable%20Connections.%20This%20DX

 

[Ranch55]

Yep BJ, that's the way to do it, definitely.

 

[Naysayer]

What's wrong about using silicone caulking?

 

[AudioShockwav]

What's wrong about using silicone caulking?

Some Silicone sealants contain Acid to make the sealant cure faster.....

From the web:

The acid cure (acetoxy) silicone sealants were the first to be used in the industry, and cure by contact with moisture vapor in the air, releasing acetic acid. This acidic vapor byproduct is corrosive and can cause compatibility issues......

There are Neutral cure sealants that are better for this application.

73
Jeff

 

[BJ radionut]

Yep BJ, that's the way to do it, definitely.

After over 37 years working with, just about any type of cable for "comms" /electric distribution (low/med/Hi). Scotch products hard to beat...not cheap anymore at retail level...but worth the cost...
I have a stock of 33+/88/32/130C/ etc...

You have not been around much...hope all good!

 

[BJ radionut]

ASI 388 - American Sealants Inc. ELECTRONIC GRADE RTV SILICONE

One part, moisture cure sealant cures to form a tough, durable, flexible rubber Ideal for bonding, sealing, encapsulating and protecting electronic parts. Works in temps from -70°F to 400°F.

americansealantsinc.com

Is Silicone Sealant An Electrical Insulator?

Here's the scoop on silicone's electrical properties, and when it functions best as a conductor versus an insulator.

siliconedepot.com

https://www.zoro.com/kbmt/electrical-silicone/?gclid=406dde077b9314dbffb6b901f3d0d0fe&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=406dde077b9314dbffb6b901f3d0d0fe&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ml_all_dyn_main_pmax_tail%20-%20TP%20skus%20-%20R3%20PLA%20Sales%202%20-%20bing&utm_term=www.zoro.com&utm_content=GA4%20R3%20PLA%20Sales%202

 

[Ranch55]

What's wrong about using silicone caulking?

Much better ways than that...... In my opinion, that is a lazy, cheap way that will not last, and not good for the connectors.......

 

[Naysayer]

Lazy & Cheap that's a backhand if I ever felt one. Well, thanks for the scoop on silicone, even if it is heaping proof that I'm only an amateur, lol. And $35 a tube? Slow down, no need revisit Cheap, I'll figure it out before my station re-make is finished.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Much better ways than that...... In my opinion, that is a lazy, cheap way that will not last, and not good for the connectors.......

Funny you should say that. If you actually know HOW to use silicone sealant, it is an EXCELLENT way to waterproof connectors. You just need to learn how to use it PROPERLY. I started using it over 40 years ago and NO......I am NOT a slow learner. FIRST cover the connectors with some black electrical tape, THEN cover the entire connection with silicone. Since the silicone does not directly contact the connectors, there is NO corrosion at all from the acetic acid released by it. If you need to open the connection, all you need to do is use a SHARP knife and cut down thru the silicone and underlying tape and simply peel it back off the cable. I have cut open connections after 20 years to find the connection still water tight and clean and shiny connectors that looked just like the day they were installed. Do not dismiss something simply because you do not understand it. Yes there are other ways to do it, however silicone is neither a cheap nor lazy way of doing and in fact it WILL last IF DONE PROPERLY.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Lazy & Cheap that's a backhand if I ever felt one. Well, thanks for the scoop on silicone, even if it is heaping proof that I'm only an amateur, lol. And $35 a tube? Slow down, no need revisit Cheap, I'll figure it out before my station re-make is finished.

$35 a tube? Of silicone?? Read my post above and just use regular hardware store silicone for a few bucks a tube. It has lasted FINE at my station over the last 40+ years.