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Panola County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. |
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Hints and Tips |
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Identification: Be sure to identify yourself (give your call sign) every 10 minutes and at the end of your QSO.
Be courteous when on the air. Before using a seemingly quiet frequency, give a call such as, “Is the frequency clear?” before just jumping in there and calling for someone.
Keep your Go-bag ready at all times. Be sure to change the batteries in flashlights or at least keep fresh batteries on hand. Watch your snacks and meds for expiration dates.
Reduce corrosion in your RF connections: When mating RF connectors in an unprotected environment, they can be susceptible to moisture and corrosion. Full weatherproofing is advised for an outdoor connector, but that is not usually necessary for connectors on a mobile station. Both outdoor and mobile connectors can get corrosion on the mating surfaces from humidity, however. Automotive supply stores sell a preparation called, "Tune-up Grease", or "Dielectric Grease". It is a thick silicone based product that has many valuable uses. It can serve as a lubricant and protectant on rubber weatherstripping, and a corrosion preventive on automotive light bulbs.
Before mating the RF connectors, clean them carefully with a dry cloth. Then smear a thin coating of Dielectric Grease on the center pin of the male end and the threads of the female end. Avoid getting the grease on the center insulation of the connectors. Then assemble the connectors together, tighten-ing slightly more than finger tight. Even if moisture does manage to penetrate the connectors, the Dielectric Grease will prevent the metal surfaces from oxidizing without compromising the electrical path through the connectors.
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