After 15 days of rain, I have found out how well the Radio Shack "Waterproof" f connectors work. While they are f connectors, they are not waterproof.
I have a pansat diseqc switch outside that 3 dishes feed. All of the cables connected to it use the radio shack connectors, while the unused port is capped. I used dielectric grease on the threads of all the ports, to insure against moisture ingress along the threads. I used the proper cable to crimping tool attach the connectors to the coax.
This afternoon (during a break in the rain, clear skies after 15 days of rain) I started loosing signal, but not like rain fade acts. My signal was bouncing wildly, sometimes locking for few minutes, then no signal, then great signal, then zilch. So, I figured, time to check my switch and cable connectors.
Imagine my suprise to find moisture in every port of the switch that i had NOT capped. Lots of evidence of sparking, black carbon everywhere including inside the cable ends. Checking the coax i saw moisture had wicked approx 2 inches along the coax.
Long story short, i cut off the offending ends and replaced them and the switch. Problem fixed.
I have other "non waterproof" connectors outside that i have waterproofed myself, using silicone and dielectric grease. All of those connectors checked out fine, the only ones bad were radio shack "waterproofed" f connectors.
I am really interested to see if anyone else has had problems with these connectors.
I have a pansat diseqc switch outside that 3 dishes feed. All of the cables connected to it use the radio shack connectors, while the unused port is capped. I used dielectric grease on the threads of all the ports, to insure against moisture ingress along the threads. I used the proper cable to crimping tool attach the connectors to the coax.
This afternoon (during a break in the rain, clear skies after 15 days of rain) I started loosing signal, but not like rain fade acts. My signal was bouncing wildly, sometimes locking for few minutes, then no signal, then great signal, then zilch. So, I figured, time to check my switch and cable connectors.
Imagine my suprise to find moisture in every port of the switch that i had NOT capped. Lots of evidence of sparking, black carbon everywhere including inside the cable ends. Checking the coax i saw moisture had wicked approx 2 inches along the coax.
Long story short, i cut off the offending ends and replaced them and the switch. Problem fixed.
I have other "non waterproof" connectors outside that i have waterproofed myself, using silicone and dielectric grease. All of those connectors checked out fine, the only ones bad were radio shack "waterproofed" f connectors.
I am really interested to see if anyone else has had problems with these connectors.
