Noted a discussion with our own RichPowers about this on another site.
I had a Decade MS-100 inside a weatherproof box on Bowen Island pretty close to the water, running 24/7. Absolutely no damage at all to the transmitter - I did note that the metal screws securing it to the box were rusted after 2 years.
I also put heat shrink tubing over the telescopic antenna that was sticking outside the box - it was like new when I removed it.
Major difference there though Artisian.. Isn't that a fresh water area?
Salt air plays havoc on electronics, particuarly when in such a direct close proximity on the boat, and the increase of wind flow carries much more moist salty air than when the transmitter is installed on land only a few blocks distance away.
Nope. Bowen is located just off the coastline of West Vancouver/Vancouver, and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. It is generally considered to be part of the Southern Gulf Islands, just to the north of the San Juan Islands. My transmitter was just a short distance from the ocean, and directly in line with all the salt-laden winds (at the top of a hill overlooking the ocean). Admittedly, it wasn't on a boat, but if you protect the transmitter and antenna properly, I don't think you'll have any problems.
I had the antenna sticking up through the top of the box with a compression fitting, and then I sealed the fitting so it was water tight.
I had CAT5 cable carrying audio & power going through the bottom of the box, again through a compression fitting, but I did not seal it. The fitting discouraged liquid water from entering, and yet it was not water tight so it allowed condensation to drain from inside the box.
I took the box down once a year to check things out. I even took apart the MS-100 after a year and inside the box the circuit board and connectors were all pristine.
I don't know what transmitter you're thinking of using, but I know that the ProCaster & Rangemaster's enclosures are high quality. I think in both I would get a compression fitting for the wire entry, however (I purchased my box and the various bits at a local electrical supply company).
Heat shrink tubing is pretty inexpensive, and although it would probably take years for the salt to eat away an antenna, it would probably be a good idea to duplicate what I did and use it to protect whatever antenna you use (you just a hairdryer and the tubing fits a whip like a glove).
I was originally thinking of using the Rangemaster, and then began considering using the AMT3000 - 1. If I had to lose a transmitter, I'd rather it be the AMT than the Rangemaster, and 2. The AMT has onboard proccessing, simplifing the install on a boat with only 12v power source.
I haven't done anything yet, but contemplate the situation... Another factor is the boat location itself, right now it's anchored in the back river on the south end, directly across the river of a public boat ramp, only a couple blocks from me, and this works out real well for me.. But to take full advantage of the situation, the boat would be better located around the middle of the island for better signal reach.. and to do that creates more potential difficulties for a variety of reasons, but the biggest being security.
There are a couple marinas on the island, but they're both located on the far north end which kind of defeats the purpose, plus at 12 a foot, it would cost over $300 a month to dock the boat, and that's without electric or water hookups..
Sigh.. now I'm just rambling.. I got to think about this some more.
don't use the SSTRAN in that environment, go with a rangemaster. the sstran won't handle the salt air very long. i would not even recommend a chez for there. rangemaster uses quality pc board and quality descrete components in a very well sealed container. i installed a rangemaster for a friend back in 2009 and it was a few years old to begin with and it's now 2016 and that thing is still running like a champ through all the north east wild weather for all those years.
I'm beggining to think I'm being overly cautious.. I'm going to ask Hamilton what he thinks. Right now, mine still operates as well as the day I bought it, and it's been outdoorss many seasons.. Just not directly on the water line before... and I don't mean at dock, which wouldn't be nearly as bad, but out in the river.
I have had it right on the beach before for about a year, and it was way up high with the windy conditions.. I guess all in all, that's not really so different so far as the elements go.
Artisan said: "Heat shrink tubing is pretty inexpensive, and although it would probably take years for the salt to eat away an antenna, it would probably be a good idea to duplicate what I did and use it to protect whatever antenna you use (you just a hairdryer and the tubing fits a whip like a glove)"
WA4JM said: " True stainless steel CB type whips should easily resist sea water corrosion at least in the case of the Rangemaster. Now the antenna that comes with the Procaster, I think I would spray it with clear coat paint. Heat shrink tubing would be a good idea after the paint job."
Something picked up from a website somewhere may have a use for dealing with metals in harsh environments.
They gave this list of all the things Coke can do in addition to being "The Pause That Refreshes."
Coke can do the following jobs:
1.) Remove rust;
2.) Clean oil spills;
3.) Clean oven;
4.) Removes tarnish;
5.) Cleanse toilet bowl;
6.) Strips paint from metal;
7.) Remove debris from car engine;
8.) Dissolve nails and pennies.
Coke seems very Part 15.
The heat shrink tubing sounds excellent, but I'd be very hesitant to consider any Coke treatment.
Wow! If Coke can do all that, just think of what it can do for your digestive system...
Mixing some rum with it counteracts any digestive damage.
I read that at the same place Carl did.