To receive years of trouble free service with your antennas, you’ll want to make sure the feedline connection to the antenna is properly sealed from the elements. If the connection isn’t sealed properly, then moisture can work its way into the coax cable, causing SWR issues and poor performance.
There are many different methods to seal the antenna connections, tapes, silicone, Coax-Seal and other types of goop. My recommendation is to use the same stuff that professional installers use, and that is high quality electrical tape. Electrical tape will make a weather tight seal that will last for years and you’ll also be able to remove the tape without a residue.
The easiest way to seal your antenna connection is to use a high quality electrical tape, such as 3M Scotch Super 33+ or Super 88 vinyl electrical tape. Don’t skimp on cheap electrical tape. These tapes have high quality adhesives and excellent cold weather resistence. They will work quite well under a wide variety of conditions, keeping the elements out of your connection. You can purchase the tape at home improvement stores like Lowes, Home Depot or Menards. Look in the electrical department.
To seal the connection, wrap the connector with tape, extending the wrap at least one inch up the coax cable. If the wrap is temporary you can leave a little tab at the end for removal, otherwise just seal it flat. A tight seal with electrical tape will give you antennas, like the 2 meter J-Pole antenna or Marine Band antenna years and years of trouble free service.
Recent Comments