"JIMMIE" wrote in message
...
On Feb 11, 12:40 pm, Bob Dixon wrote:
I have seen hams use silicon sealant to fill a UHF connector
before screwing it together. The idea is to keep out water. (The
connection is also taped or sealed with Coax seal). Is this a
good idea?

Bob W8ERD

I like to grease the threads with silicon dielectric grease to
keep water from wicking up the threads but I have seen people pack
N connectors full of it before screwing them together and cant say
it did any harm. I am am a big fan of wiping down a connector with
Deoxit before putting it together.

Please people, use the correct spelling. Silicon is an element with
a melting point of 1410 to 1414°C (2570 to 2577°F) depending on the
reference. Silicone grease is a low molecular weight polydimethyl
siloxane polymer. It is hydrophobic (does not wet with water) and
is often used to lubricate rubber and other items that are
incompatible with hydrocarbon greases. Its main use with electrical
connectors is its lubricating properties and water repellency.

I heard that Marvel Mystery Oil works as well as Deoxit. Has
anyone else ever heard of this?

DeOxit is 95% petroleum naphtha with 5% of a proprietary
ingredient. Caig tends to try to keep the secret ingredient
secret. I cannot say for sure but I suspect it might be tocopherol
(Vitamin E). Marvel Mystery Oil is a mixture of naphthenic
hydrocarbons (motor oil), mineral spirits (naphtha), and 1,2-
dichlorobenzene (a chlorinated solvent). From the smell, it is
likely to contain a small amount of methyl salicylate (oil of
wintergreen). So I would say they are quite different. Besides,
the chlorinated solvent is not the best thing to use around
polyethylene and is especially bad around vinyl.

--
73, Dr. Barry L. Ornitz WA4VZQ

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