"Ian White GM3SEK" wrote in message
...
Nick wrote:
I am experimenting with some aerial designs and wondered if
anyone
had used / knows whether
hot melt glue is good to seal and waterproof connections and its
electrical characteristics ?

Ordinary semi-translucent HMG is excellent for electrical
sealing, both indoors and outdoors, and has very good insulating
and RF properties.

(I will just go and stick some in the microwave with a glass of
water and see if it melts ! )

HMG is chemically very similar to polyethylene, so it has very
low losses at 2.45GHz and all lower frequencies. That means you
can use it in almost any RF application where moulded
polyethylene would be OK.

The only significant differences are mechanical. HMG is softer
and more flexible, and has a lower softening temperature, but
those properties also make it a better adhesive and sealant.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom
(RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek

Hi Ian,

Thanks for that input - I did put some in the microwave and it was
fine as you said, and I have wrapped / smeared
some around some 14 gauge Cu wire and bent it around and it adheres
remarkably well ! Any idea how it suffers UV ?

It only really needs to last a year or so as by then I am re-doing
aerials and things...

Thanks again,

Nick