[Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Idea for weatherproofing amps

[David Raymond]

I put up an 8 circle-narrow 160m array early last December.  I was in a quandary as to how to weatherproof the amps at the antenna elements.  Being pressed for time and having a snowstorm bearing down on me, I wrapped the amps in plastic grocery bags and secured the mess with tape.  And it was a mess but it kept things dry, or so I thought.  I had not given consideration to condensation.  Cal, W0IZL, mentioned to me that he used the same approach and had experienced enough condensation problems that a couple of his amp boxes had to have work.  I felt more pressed to find a more permanent, suitable solution that would allow for air circulation. 

In my pondering as to how to approach a more permanent solution, I put the amps inside of 4" PVC with caps on top and leaving the bottom open.  I was just going to strap the PVC to the side of my mounting pipes and bring the antenna and ground wires in through small holes in the side of the PVC.  In my discussions with Toni, N0NI, he suggested drilling a hole in the pipe cap and sliding the antenna element (in my case, 1" aluminum) through the cap with a piece of 4" PVC attached to it.  I cut the 4" PVC in 15" length and put an assembly together to try.  It works quite well.  The PVC cap rests on the screw which passes through the 1" aluminum elements and secures the antenna wire to it.  I sealed the hole in the PVC cap around the aluminum passing through it with liquid tape.  The PVC pipe covers the amp and associated wiring.  I did drill the hole in the cap somewhat off center to allow a little extra room for the amp which was is tie wrapped to the side of my steel "U" type 4' fence post.  Now that I've tried one and am pleased I'll be finishing up the other seven elements in a similar manner tomorrow (if we don't get rain or snow).

73. . .Dave
W0FLS