vHF connector at mast corrosion

[RobertB]

Gee, I have an idea. After assembling the radio, regardless of what components and corrosion protection you use, test it out and see if it works

Just because someone recommends something other than what you use is no reason to infer they are proposing something dangerous. Especially when that product is backed in writing by a RF OEM equipment manufacturer.

I also never put down the use of dialectric grease, I use it myself. But dialectric grease will not penetrate and protect all areas prone to corrosion in a connector.

[Divecoz]

Not true Ray..and Graphite is none metallic.. is Carbon Ray.. and Not all dielectric grease is silicon let alone 99% silicon..
What I see / know? about 7 years ago I installed my VHF and all my electronics using Penetrox (SP) All is still good to go.. and I did spend a few months on the salt water in Florida.. Raytheon Ships Corrosion X Orange with all there electronics? Well at least with all their Radars and some of their GPS chart plotters etc etc etc ..Cause it was in the box when opened them..

dielectric grease defineatly has no graphite or any other metalic material in it. it is clear and 99% silicon,strickly to seal surfaces from oxidzing

[vizwhiz]

Kinda like running Wesson oil in your 2 smoker

Thanks for the tip...might be even cheaper than bacon grease......

Would that be dielectric bacon grease Cat?

[snotnosetommy]

If you're outa bacon grease, cat poop works too.

[K9Kampers]

If you're outa bacon grease, cat poop works too.

...but it makes your hashbrowns taste funny!

[RobertB]

but it makes your hashbrowns taste funny!

My dogs want you to cook for them

[Hamin' X]

UPDATE: As a matter of fact, a quick internet search found at least one marine RF equipment manufacturer recommending Boeshield T-9 for protecting RF connections ( ThunderBird SSAS Ship Security Alert System product support manual http://www.altronic.com/techdocs/Corros ... Manual.pdf).

After repairing your link, I checked it out. The manufacturer recommends the CorosionX product for use in resistive loads, sometimes called dummy loads. These devices, by definition, absorb the RF energy that is sent to them. I'm not sure that they have measured, or care about insertion loss due to the anti-corrosion product that they use, as this loss just prevents the signal from radiating. If someone will produce documentation (insertion loss chart, breakdown by frequency and power level, etc.) on alternative products, I would consider their use, but until then...

On the subject of dielectric greases containing metal, or graphite, I intentionally included "all" greases used for corrosion prevention, not just dielectric grease. Some anti corrosion greases designed for use in electrical applications do contain metals and are conductive. I just wanted the readers to be aware of this.

There are many products out there, but I choose to use one that is specifically designed to prevent corrosion and water ingress for RF connectors.

~Rich