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THE DOCTOR IS IN JOEL R. HALLAS, W1ZR, W1ZR ARRL. ORG  TO GREASE OR NOT TO
GREASE THAT IS THE QUESTION.  Q IN CONSIDERING THE CONNECTIVITY WITHIN MY
FIXED, PORTABLE, AND MOBILE STATIONS, I FIND A WIDE VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL
CONNECTIONS AC AND DC POWER, TRANSMISSION LINE TERMINATIONS, CONTROL
CABLES, ANTENNA JOINTS, AND GROUND CONNECTIONS, TO NAME A FEW.  I AM AWARE
OF THREE TREATMENT OPTIONS LEAVING THE CONNECTIONS DRY, COATING THE
CONNECTION SURFACES WITH CONDUCTIVE GREASE, OR USING NON CONDUCTIVE GREASE
OFTEN ON VEHICLE BATTERY TERMINALS.  ARE THERE RULES ABOUT THE BEST
PRACTICE?  A THE FIRST RULE, IN MY OPINION, IS TO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE
MANUFACTURER OF THE COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CONNECTION.
IF THERE IS NO INFORMATION IN THE SUPPLIED DOCUMENTATION, AN E MAIL TO EACH
CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT OUT OF ORDER.  IN THE ABSENCE OF
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, I DOUBT THAT WE CAN BOIL THIS DOWN TO A FEW SIMPLE
RULES.  HOWEVER, I AM HAPPY TO SHARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS AND AN INDICATION
OF MY PRACTICES.  FIRST, CONDUCTIVE GREASE SHOULD NEVER BE ACROSS, NOR EVEN
NEAR, ANY INSULATION BETWEEN CONNECTIONS THATS AN INVITATION FOR A SHORT OR
UNDESIRED LEAKAGE.  ALL OF MY INDOOR CONNECTIONS ARE DRY, AND THAT WORKS
WELL, IN MY EXPERIENCE, UNLESS IT IS A VERY HUMID OR SALT AIR ENVIRONMENT.
EVEN ON MY SALTWATER SAILBOAT, I JUST USE DRY CONNECTIONS.  I DID HAVE AN
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