READER-TO-READER TECHFORUM
(Wilson Electronics 301111) mounted
on our chimney for an Internet
connection. In the summer it works
pretty well, but in the rainy winter, the
signal deteriorates significantly and our
connection speed drops. If we're using
the fireplace, and the weather dries
out for a few days, the signal improves.
However, if it's rainy but we're not
using our fireplace for a few days, the
signal also improves.
My best guess as to the reason is
that the combination of smoke from
our fireplace and moisture from rain or
dew are coating the antenna with a
film that is conductive enough to
create a partial short across elements
of the antenna, causing some
attenuation of the signal. The antenna
is mounted about six or seven feet
above the chimney cap, and it's not
really practical to mount it higher
without going to a much more
complicated mast setup with guy
wires.
I'd like to know if I can spray some
insulating coating on the Yagi antenna
that will prevent the film contacting
the conductive parts of the antenna,
but that also will not in itself attenuate
the signal. Something like WD- 40
might work for a while — causing water
to just run off — but I want something
more permanent, like maybe liquid
tape that hardens into a rubbery
coating. I just don't know if that type of
coating might in itself attenuate the
signal.
Does anybody have any advice on
how I could seal my antenna
without attenuating the signal by an
appreciable amount? I'm also open to
other ideas, except to go to a different
connection technology (DSL isn't
available, T1 is too expensive, satellite
is worse than what we've got now).
80 February 2012
#1 I think you should look at the
connectors. They may not be water
tight!
Electrical duct butter, electrical
duct seal, and coax seal can all be
used to encapsulate the connector
and socket area to seal it from water
inclusion.
I’ve used Beam antennas up in the
air for decades with good results.
#2 It sounds like you have a faulty
cable and/or cable connector at the
antenna. I would replace the cable
with Wilson 400 low-loss cable, and
put a boot on the connection at the
antenna to keep out moisture.
Additionally, the Wilson 301111
Yagi is quite directional; try aiming.
If it has been several years since
you installed the antenna, maybe
more cell towers have been built in
your area.
wave2003
via email
#3 I suggest you try wrapping the
elements of your Yagi antenna with
PVC electrical tape. It might protect
the antenna enough to provide the
necessary improvement. As a young
"shop gopher" in a two-way r
adio shop, I earned many hours of
minimum wage wrapping two-way
base station antennas with electrical
tape. The owner of the shop insisted it
reduced received noise and extended
the life of the antenna.
Don Pitchford W9EBK
via email
#4 Yes, fire makes carbon smoke a
conductive. I'd try a plastic bag to see
if it corrects it. Or, place a shield one
foot under the antenna.
Richard E. Lenker
via email
If you have a question you’d
like our readers to address,
email it to
forum@nutsvolts.com or
use the convenient online form
at www.nutsvolts.com
The 2011 Nuts & Volts
CD-ROM is available NOW
in our store!
Go to http://store.nutsvolts.com
and order yours today!
continued from page 31
Detailed knowledge of TCP/IP is
not needed. Simple eight-bit micros
immediately have much more power
since they no longer have the burden
of TCP/IP protocols. TCP-offload
improves overall system
performance, reduces cost, power,
and size.
The WIZ820io Ethernet-LAN
module is available now for $19.95
each.
For more information, contact:
Saelig Company
Web: www.saelig.com
SMT COMPONENTS
ON A
BREADBOARD
SchmartBoard has expanded its product offering with a new
family of products that support the
use of Surface-Mount Technology
(SMT) components with
breadboards. Schmartboard has
released two new SMT to DIP
adapters that use the patented “ez”
technology which makes soldering
surface-mount components simple.
“We have hit a real need with
this line,” says Neal Greenberg,
SchmartBoard’s VP of Sales and
Marketing. “This has been our fastest
growing family of products in the few
months that we have been marketing
it. The reason is that many users are
in a quandary because they still need
