For years I've had a relay box in the back yard to remotely switch among
antennas. The plastic freezer boxes I used deteriorate in the sun and
have to be replaced from time to time. Last time I was at the surplus
store I picked up an ammo box which will be the new home for the relays.
I plan on using N connectors for the RF due to their weatherproof
construction. The problem is a connector for the relay control cable. I
want a weatherproof bulkhead connector with at least 8 or 9 conductors,
and I'd like the cable part to be weatherproof also. I don't want to use
an in-line connector because of the problems of weatherproofing and
strain relieving wires going through the box wall.

There are a bunch of old military connectors that would be fine, but I
need a set of complete ones, with back shell for the cable end, etc.
I've been keeping an eye on eBay, but so far haven't spotted anything
quite right.

Does anyone know a source for a suitable connector set?

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Roy Lewallen wrote:
For years I've had a relay box in the back yard to remotely switch among
antennas. The plastic freezer boxes I used deteriorate in the sun and
have to be replaced from time to time. Last time I was at the surplus
store I picked up an ammo box which will be the new home for the relays.
I plan on using N connectors for the RF due to their weatherproof
construction. The problem is a connector for the relay control cable. I
want a weatherproof bulkhead connector with at least 8 or 9 conductors,
and I'd like the cable part to be weatherproof also. I don't want to use
an in-line connector because of the problems of weatherproofing and
strain relieving wires going through the box wall.

There are a bunch of old military connectors that would be fine, but I
need a set of complete ones, with back shell for the cable end, etc.
I've been keeping an eye on eBay, but so far haven't spotted anything
quite right.

Does anyone know a source for a suitable connector set?

I'd take a look at the "circular plastic connectors" sold by Digi-Key.
(among others)

They're not inherently weatherproof but some silicon sealant will make
them that way.

That's what's used on the pan/tilt heads that aim the transmit antennas
on TV microwave remote trucks - certainly at least as difficult an
application as what you're doing. The connectors far outlast the drive
gears!
--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
http://www.w9wi.com

Roy Lewallen wrote:
For years I've had a relay box in the back yard to remotely switch among
antennas. The plastic freezer boxes I used deteriorate in the sun and
have to be replaced from time to time. Last time I was at the surplus
store I picked up an ammo box which will be the new home for the relays.
I plan on using N connectors for the RF due to their weatherproof
construction. The problem is a connector for the relay control cable. I
want a weatherproof bulkhead connector with at least 8 or 9 conductors,
and I'd like the cable part to be weatherproof also. I don't want to use
an in-line connector because of the problems of weatherproofing and
strain relieving wires going through the box wall.

There are a bunch of old military connectors that would be fine, but I
need a set of complete ones, with back shell for the cable end, etc.
I've been keeping an eye on eBay, but so far haven't spotted anything
quite right.

Does anyone know a source for a suitable connector set?

I'd take a look at the "circular plastic connectors" sold by Digi-Key.
(among others)

They're not inherently weatherproof but some silicon sealant will make
them that way.

That's what's used on the pan/tilt heads that aim the transmit antennas
on TV microwave remote trucks - certainly at least as difficult an
application as what you're doing. The connectors far outlast the drive
gears!
--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
http://www.w9wi.com

Roy Lewallen wrote:
For years I've had a relay box in the back yard to remotely switch
among antennas. The plastic freezer boxes I used deteriorate in the sun
and have to be replaced from time to time. Last time I was at the
surplus store I picked up an ammo box which will be the new home for
the relays. I plan on using N connectors for the RF due to their
weatherproof construction. The problem is a connector for the relay
control cable. I want a weatherproof bulkhead connector with at least 8
or 9 conductors, and I'd like the cable part to be weatherproof also. I
don't want to use an in-line connector because of the problems of
weatherproofing and strain relieving wires going through the box wall.

A standard electrical cable gland will weatherproof the cable going
through the box wall (or whatever you call that thing with a
compressible rubber washer that squeezes down onto the cable). That
would leaves an in-line connector pair which is a good shape to wrap
with tape, so it needn't be inherently waterproof.

There are a bunch of old military connectors that would be fine, but I
need a set of complete ones, with back shell for the cable end, etc.
I've been keeping an eye on eBay, but so far haven't spotted anything
quite right.

Does anyone know a source for a suitable connector set?

There's a fundamental strong repulsive force that pushes matching
surplus plugs and sockets to opposite ends of the Universe.

I had some success with mounting a DIN plug and socket inside any old
MIL connector shells for waterproofing. The only requirement is that the
MIL housings are compatible - I'm presuming that the pin configurations
don't match (see above) but that doesn't matter because you strip them
all out.

Remove the backshells (cable clamps and water seals) and drill out the
insides of the two MIL connectors to accept the two DIN connectors. Then
mate the two MIL housings together (still with the backshells removed
for access), push the DINs together inside the MIL housings and epoxy
each half into its MIL shell. You now have a waterproof DIN connector.

I hope that makes enough sense...

The DIN connectors are OK for relay-type currents.


--
73 from Ian G3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
Editor, 'The VHF/UHF DX Book'
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek

Roy Lewallen wrote:
For years I've had a relay box in the back yard to remotely switch
among antennas. The plastic freezer boxes I used deteriorate in the sun
and have to be replaced from time to time. Last time I was at the
surplus store I picked up an ammo box which will be the new home for
the relays. I plan on using N connectors for the RF due to their
weatherproof construction. The problem is a connector for the relay
control cable. I want a weatherproof bulkhead connector with at least 8
or 9 conductors, and I'd like the cable part to be weatherproof also. I
don't want to use an in-line connector because of the problems of
weatherproofing and strain relieving wires going through the box wall.

A standard electrical cable gland will weatherproof the cable going
through the box wall (or whatever you call that thing with a
compressible rubber washer that squeezes down onto the cable). That
would leaves an in-line connector pair which is a good shape to wrap
with tape, so it needn't be inherently waterproof.

There are a bunch of old military connectors that would be fine, but I
need a set of complete ones, with back shell for the cable end, etc.
I've been keeping an eye on eBay, but so far haven't spotted anything
quite right.

Does anyone know a source for a suitable connector set?

There's a fundamental strong repulsive force that pushes matching
surplus plugs and sockets to opposite ends of the Universe.

I had some success with mounting a DIN plug and socket inside any old
MIL connector shells for waterproofing. The only requirement is that the
MIL housings are compatible - I'm presuming that the pin configurations
don't match (see above) but that doesn't matter because you strip them
all out.

Remove the backshells (cable clamps and water seals) and drill out the
insides of the two MIL connectors to accept the two DIN connectors. Then
mate the two MIL housings together (still with the backshells removed
for access), push the DINs together inside the MIL housings and epoxy
each half into its MIL shell. You now have a waterproof DIN connector.

I hope that makes enough sense...

The DIN connectors are OK for relay-type currents.


--
73 from Ian G3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
Editor, 'The VHF/UHF DX Book'
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek

Roy Lewallen wrote in message ...
For years I've had a relay box in the back yard to remotely switch among
antennas. The plastic freezer boxes I used deteriorate in the sun and
have to be replaced from time to time. Last time I was at the surplus
store I picked up an ammo box which will be the new home for the relays.
I plan on using N connectors for the RF due to their weatherproof
construction. The problem is a connector for the relay control cable. I
want a weatherproof bulkhead connector with at least 8 or 9 conductors,
and I'd like the cable part to be weatherproof also. I don't want to use
an in-line connector because of the problems of weatherproofing and
strain relieving wires going through the box wall.

There are a bunch of old military connectors that would be fine, but I
need a set of complete ones, with back shell for the cable end, etc.
I've been keeping an eye on eBay, but so far haven't spotted anything
quite right.

Does anyone know a source for a suitable connector set?

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Remember the cardinal rules of waterproofing switch/relay boxes, vis
use good quality connectors
carefully waterproof all connector in/outs
seal box with appropriate rated sealant

and, lastly, drill a small hole in the bottom of the box for water to drain out....

de VK3BFA Andrew

Roy Lewallen wrote in message ...
For years I've had a relay box in the back yard to remotely switch among
antennas. The plastic freezer boxes I used deteriorate in the sun and
have to be replaced from time to time. Last time I was at the surplus
store I picked up an ammo box which will be the new home for the relays.
I plan on using N connectors for the RF due to their weatherproof
construction. The problem is a connector for the relay control cable. I
want a weatherproof bulkhead connector with at least 8 or 9 conductors,
and I'd like the cable part to be weatherproof also. I don't want to use
an in-line connector because of the problems of weatherproofing and
strain relieving wires going through the box wall.

There are a bunch of old military connectors that would be fine, but I
need a set of complete ones, with back shell for the cable end, etc.
I've been keeping an eye on eBay, but so far haven't spotted anything
quite right.

Does anyone know a source for a suitable connector set?

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Remember the cardinal rules of waterproofing switch/relay boxes, vis
use good quality connectors
carefully waterproof all connector in/outs
seal box with appropriate rated sealant

and, lastly, drill a small hole in the bottom of the box for water to drain out....

de VK3BFA Andrew