"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
Is your multiplexer open to the air or is it potted, like Noland's,
where only the rust-proofed terminals are exposed? In the Icom the
whole thing is exposed.

My multiplexers are not potted. That would prevent any opportunity to repair
it or upgrade the software. I have given this a lot of thought and I have
looked at other equipment that is not meant to be used outside the cabin.
Many profesional equipment is also open to the air and the computers that
people will connect the multiplexers to, are open too.

The chinzy board connector failed before we ever got it to sea last
weekend. This is the connector that connects the antenna tuner
control cable to the main radio cabinet. The owner had bumped it
sideways while installing a red/white light into the nav station,
bending the cheap, flimsy contacts inside the cable connector. You
can hardly crimp them on the cable without distorting them and Icom
gives you NO SPARES in case you destroy one installing it. How
stupid. It needs a REAL connector. A twist-lock connector like goes
on the M602 would be nice. There's plenty of room inside the air
plenum for it where it is currently mounted.

I chose screw terminals. They are rigid and in many cases where people
install equipment, the first thing they'll do is cut off fixed connectors
because the cable has to go through a hole or gland.

Why does pleasure boat electronics have to be so damned cheap?

Because the consumers want it to be :-)

Meindert