How long do I have (wet coax)?

[brandon7861]

I just cut into my LMR400 to install a lightning arrestor and noticed a little moisture in the braid 20 feet from the feed point. The SWR is the same as it has been for years (1.19) and it still works great. How long does it normally take to go from wet to useless? I think I will start doing monthly TDR checks.

I covered every part of the connections where water can get in with lanolin and heated it in with a torch. Lanolin will not dry, so it cannot crack and peel up. Water will have a hard time getting in there now.

I hope I can get another year out of it.

 

[c316buckeye]

How long does it normally take to go from wet to useless?

been using the same 10ft of lmr400 on a semi truck, then recently put it thru the roof on my car. cheap crimp-on connectors. 75mph salt water in winter. 5+ years service, no land o lakes butter applied