Base Antenna

[AlaskaMike]

I'm planning on buying a 2m/70cm base antenna, and I noticed it's tall enough that it's multiple sections threaded together. It's a Diamond X500HNA, which claims to have completely sealed, overlapping joints.

In cases like these, do you use dielectric grease on the section joints, or something similar to prevent corrosion?

Also, I've read some reviews on this antenna which indicate some exposed parts are steel and have rusted for some people. Is there any reason I couldn't paint this antenna with clear lacquer, or flat black paint, etc?

Thanks,
Mike
KL3HY

 

[gewecke]

I'm planning on buying a 2m/70cm base antenna, and I noticed it's tall enough that it's multiple sections threaded together. It's a Diamond X500HNA, which claims to have completely sealed, overlapping joints.

In cases like these, do you use dielectric grease on the section joints, or something similar to prevent corrosion?

Also, I've read some reviews on this antenna which indicate some exposed parts are steel and have rusted for some people. Is there any reason I couldn't paint this antenna with clear lacquer, or flat black paint, etc?

Thanks,
Mike
KL3HY

That's no problem as long as you don't use lead based paint obviously.
As far as the joint I used silicone spray on mine and no rust.


73,
n9zas

 

[K9WG]

I had my X300 up for 3+ years and when I took it down it was as as clean as new. No rust or other. I would strongly recommend using Coax-Seal at the connector. Great stuff and will protect the connector.

Coax-Seal protects connectors from moisture and corrosion

 

[LtDoc]

I would think that what you suggest doing should be 'do-able'. There are a few things to keep in mind though. Rather than saying just 'lead' based paints, I think I'd have said paint with any 'conductive' content. Basically the same thing really. I'd also be a bit careful about painting over any insulators, why take the chance of making a possible conductive path, you know?
I've found that pink is a good color for antennas! Makes the RF electrons leave it faster, and the ones floating around get closer to a pink antenna to see just what that thing is, called 'capture affect' you know...
- 'Doc

 

[AlaskaMike]

Heh. Yeah, my neighbors would love me if they came out of their doors one morning to see a massive pink antenna perched on my house.

 

[SCPD]

AlaskaMike, read my post:

http://forums.radioreference.com/amateur-radio-equipment/215125-diamond-x510hdn-vhf-uhf-antenna.html

One thing I forgot to mention -- you can see this in the photo --- I used black "bumper spray" (auto bumpers) on the metal hub (and the radials) to keep the bling down. I also painted the very top of the antenna which has a metal bling -- just wanted to keep the reflections down.

Another owner suggested using a teflon spray on the fiberglass tube (the white part) but I didn't like the way the spray dried. Its viscosity was too high and it took forever to dry. I didn't want to wait a week for the entire tube to dry -- so I skipped the teflon treatment.

 

[AlaskaMike]

Thanks Nick--that's a great post, and I appreciate the photo as well!

 

[SCPD]

Sure no problem. The upgrade is sure worth the money and time. I only wished I had done this long ago.

 

[AlaskaMike]

From what I can see, Coax-seal appears to be a brand of silicone tape--is that correct? Anything about their product that's better than the generic stuff I can get at Home Depot?

 

[K9WG]

No, Coax Seal is like a putty that you mold around the connector. It halps seal out moisture. You apply it to the outside of the connector after you have attached it to your antenna.

e.t.a. You do not want to use any RTV type of sealent. They contain an acid that can corrode the connectors.

 

[AlaskaMike]

Well, you actually just described silicone tape pretty closely.

I definitely wasn't thinking about RTV.

 

[SCPD]

Well, coax seal is a type of mastic tape which Lowes does sell. Lowes has the 3M mastic tape which is essentially the same thing -- but it does have slightly different properties.

You can use the mastic tape and then seal with the higher-end 3M electrical tape that they also sell.

(I just happened to have some coax seal on hand.)

PS. The connector/coax connection is fairly well protected by the metal post where the mount attaches. You probably don't need a great deal of protection.

 

[K9WG]

Well, you actually just described silicone tape pretty closely.

I definitely wasn't thinking about RTV.

LOL - I read silicone tape but the brain saw Teflon tape, as in plumbing.... :roll:

I found out the hard way about RTV. I had a PU truck that someone had sealed the windshield with RTV. I kept having leaks and when I had a glass repair company replace ithe windshield he showed me all the damage the RTV did to the metal. It took a whole tube of the correct sealent to keep the new windshield from leaking.