OK, I have this problem...

[tweiss3]

What antenna is that? Is it a 2-piece? I've heard of water intrusion problems with 2 piece antennas, or even at the base were it goes fiberglass to aluminum/steel, could be the antenna and not the coax.

[LeoG]

It is a 2pc antenna but not in the sense that there is an opening for water to get into.  The brass screw coupler seems sealed on the top and lower sections of the antenna and have a rubber O ring between them.  Anything is possible with water.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CF9DV3ZM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[SteveShannon]

33 minutes ago, LeoG said:

I ordered it from there and the canceled my order and refunded my money.  Said they didn't have it in stock and nor could they get it.

Ahh, bummer.  Sorry about that.

[SteveShannon]

41 minutes ago, LeoG said:

I ordered it from there and the canceled my order and refunded my money.  Said they didn't have it in stock and nor could they get it.

I’m not sure if you’ve seen this and perhaps the STUF just isn’t available anywhere, but this map might help you find a distributor near you.

http://crossdevices.com/cross_devices_website2018_022.htm

 

[LeoG]

Yep, I was pretty bummed myself.  Looked like the perfect product to do exactly what I wanted.  eBay has 20 tubes for sale, but I only need one.

[LeoG]

Just now, SteveShannon said:

I’m not sure if you’ve seen this and perhaps the STUF just isn’t available anywhere, but this map might help you find a distributor near you.

http://crossdevices.com/cross_devices_website2018_022.htm

Yep, been there.  Went thought the whole internet search.  Only place you can find it is eBay, if you want 20 tubes of the stuff.

 

[WRYZ926]

26 minutes ago, LeoG said:

It is a 2pc antenna but not in the sense that there is an opening for water to get into.  The brass screw coupler seems sealed on the top and lower sections of the antenna and have a rubber O ring between them.  Anything is possible with water.

The Comet antennas have plastic connectors with rubber washers that seal the pieces and I still wrap them just like I wrap coax connections. All materials will expand and contract depending on the temperature. wrapping the antenna joints might not be 100% necessary but it sure doesn't hurt and gives a little more protection from the elements.

I have seen water get into weird places with 50 mph plus winds.

 

[SteveShannon]

2 minutes ago, LeoG said:

 

Alright, I’ll quit looking.  If I come across it somewhere in single quantities I’ll let you know, if you want.

[tcp2525]

10 hours ago, LeoG said:

Well looking at a set of mating N connectors it looks like the mating surfaces are the flat area of the female and the rubber base of the male.  If you put a small coating of dielectric grease on the female flat mating surface it looks like the internal portion of the connector has an excellent seal from anything penetrating it.  The only ingress would be from the rear of the connector using capillary action into the fittings.  Water getting in through the threads should have no chance of getting inside the fitting if it has been tightened properly.

 

And if you install the heat shrink tubing that has hot melt glue inside it is 100% waterproof. Quality connectors come supplied with a piece of heat shrink. I always keep in stock several hundred feet of heat shrink just in case.

[tcp2525]

13 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

The Comet antennas have plastic connectors with rubber washers that seal the pieces and I still wrap them just like I wrap coax connections. All materials will expand and contract depending on the temperature. wrapping the antenna joints might not be 100% necessary but it sure doesn't hurt and gives a little more protection from the elements.

I have seen water get into weird places with 50 mph plus winds.

 

And you'll find in Comet's instructions is to seal around that plastic fitting. My 712 is well sealed. 

[WRYZ926]

4 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

And you'll find in Comet's instructions is to seal around that plastic fitting. My 712 is well sealed. 

This is true and I would have sealed the connectors anyway. I would wrap brass connections too.

[tcp2525]

2 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

This is true and I would have sealed the connectors anyway. I would wrap brass connections too.

Yep, always good to adhere to proper weatherproofing/waterproofing techniques so you don't have to do the job twice.