What swabs are recommended for cleaning antenna connectors? Q-tips, for example, are too big.
I use one of the Contact Cleaner/ Lube sprays.
eg
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Thanks, but that’s not really a kind of swab. I’ll consider using that in addition to using a swab.
What type of connectors are you attempting to clean and what are you needing to remove?
S.
N connector that has been out in the elements for 9 years. I had not wrapped it in weather-proofing material. It seems the signal decreased about the same time as a very strong microburst hit my location (1.5" of rain in 10 minutes plus strong winds). I’m also considering simply replacing the cable, but cleaning will definitely be part of the process. See my other post for more detail.
Pipe cleaner with solvent
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My guess is you have water inside the coax.
I’d be cutting off the connector to allow a close inspection and then decide between new termination or new feed line.
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You can buy heat shrink tubing in larger sizes that will cover and shrink over a connector the size of a N style. The 3 to 1 shrink ratio does a nice job of isolating the connection.
I just received a new cable today. I’ll be installing it this weekend. But I want to clean the connector while I’m at it. I don’t know why I didn’t think of pipe cleaners. I’ve got those already.
Heat shrink that new cable connection to keep that microburst moisture at bay!
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Surely you meant to say “to keep that microburst moisture from migrating” 
Always choose alliteration! 
“A day without similes is like a day without”
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Appreciate you Mr. Frank. Enjoy!
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The new cable I got, which was supposed to be a low loss cable, seems to be performing more poorly than the degraded cable I had been using (it’s seeing fewer aircraft than my other feeder, which uses a homemade spider antenna). It’s rated at 50 ohms like the other one, but it’s not as thick. I have a 25’ pole so it’s a pretty long cable (35’ - I think the previous one was 30’). In the process of moving the mast, I think I probably damaged the cable that was being replaced, so switching back to that one is probably a no-go. Wrestling with this tall mast is a bit of an ordeal, so I’m probably not going to do anything further until next weekend.
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Perhaps the antenna itself has the water intrusion problem. Never fun to chase down a problem. Hang in there and we are all interested in what you find out.
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With the same antenna, the new cable performs more poorly. If there was water intrusion into the antenna, that would impact both cables. I probably just purchased an inferior cable. I don’t know how to choose a good one. After doing some searching, it seems LMR-400 is reputed to be good. I bought it from MOOKEERF. They seem to have a lot of cable products on offer.
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This is a quality brand that i have tested and use currently.
XRDS -RF KMR400 SMA to N Cable 35ft, N-Male to SMA-Male Connector Low Loss Extension Cable 50 Ohm SMA Cable
Available on Amazon.
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I found the link where I ordered the previous cable and just ordered it again since I was happy with it until the storm. Proxicast 36 ft SMA Male to N Male Premium 400 Series Low-Loss Coax Cable (50 Ohm) for 4G LTE, 5G Modems/Routers, Ham, ADS-B, GPS to Antenna or Surge Arrester Use (Not for TV or WiFi) (ANT-140-020-36)
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RE: @CraigWoodThomas
“Heat shrink that new cable connection to keep that microburst moisture at bay!”
I use this from DX Engineering. Waterproof.
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I used Duck Brand Wrap-Fix Repair Tape, 1-Inch by 10 Feet, Single Roll, Black (442055)
Do you have a link for this cable?
What connectors does it have?
- N-type to SMA?
- Does the SMA have a centre pin?
Unless there is something wrong with the cable, @astrodeveloper 's suggestion of damaged raydome is likely.
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