[time-nuts] Symmetricom 58532A GPS Antenna : Launch3 Surplus

[Angus]

Hi,

The problem is that because of the type and position of the connectors
on so many of the Trimble, Novatel, etc., antennas, it's practically
impossible to seal them with something easily removed like self
amalgamating tape. Antennas like the 58532A make life a lot simpler by
hiding the connector up a tube.

The idea seems to be that nickel plated brass TNC connectors are all
that's needed, but it's not that simple - particularly for coastal or
marine use. 
In fairness, even a lot of manufacturers of dedicated marine gear
vastly underestimate where water can get to and what damage it will do
- at least they did back in the 1990's when I was working with that
stuff. It could take a very long time (if ever) for them to be
convinced that what works in their nice little environmental test
chamber could possibly fail out in the big bad world!

>However, for the past 10 years or so I have been using double wall 
>adhesive lined heat shrink tubing. My local electronics and electrical 
>supplies carry this product and it is not that expensive. This I find 
>both quicker to install, neater, more reliable, and much easier to 
>remove than the rubber tape followed by vinyl tape method.

I was not convinced about adhesive lined heat shrink when I tried it
since it usually didn't seem to bond well enough to withstand bending,
although I've not tried the newer types. It probably wasn't the
premium quality tubing Adrian mentioned either.
The PIB based self amalgamating tapes had to be well taped up and did
not like oil, but the EPDM and PE ones we used were less sensitive
although they still needed to be taped up.

Since I wanted to be able to swap them easily, I eventually got some
Amphenol ARC TNC connectors for the GPS antennas, but still chickened
out of using the heat shrink supplied and went for self amalgamating
tape instead for sealing the crimp. I really should try the unused
heat shrink on something to see how it does.

Angus.