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[ 7 posts ] |
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Refurbishing beam antenna
M0IMM
Contributor 2024
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 12:02 pm Posts: 2080 Location: Rowley Regis (IO82XL)
Feedback: 225 (100%)
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![Post Post](./styles/acidtech/imageset/icon_topic_latest.gif) Refurbishing beam antenna
I'm planning to refurbish a Mosley Mini 32-AW beam. Does anyone have any tips on cleaning it, what to use etc?
Thanks in advance.
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Mon Feb 15, 2021 1:45 pm |
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Refurbishing beam antenna
gm7vsb
Advanced Member
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:29 am Posts: 491 Location: North Ayrshire, Scotland
Feedback: 32 (100%)
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![Post Post](./styles/acidtech/imageset/icon_topic_latest.gif) Re: Refurbishing beam antenna
Don't scrub any of the aluminium parts with steel wool, the fibres of the wool become embedded in the soft aluminium and make it corrode quicker with heavier salt deposits. Remove any white salt deposits but do not polish the entire length of the elements, it's a waste of time. Polish the ID and OD of any overlap joints, just polishing the the OD of the smaller tube is a waste of effort without doing the ID of the larger tube.
Use Scotchbrite pads, with a mix of brasso and WD40. Slot a piece of wooden dowel, and use it as an arbor in a pistol drill to make a polishing mop for ID pipes. You need to remove the resultant black mess. Hot soapy water is perfect for that, and finish it up with a IPA wipe to remove any remaining oils.
The caps should come off the traps with a good twist. Wear a heavy glove, don't grip them too tight, let the glove slip a little and the friction will heat the cap enough for it to pop off eventually. Remove any bugs or debris from the traps, check the screws / rivets are all tight and add SS star washers if they're not already there.
That's all very generic, but there's no point making any of it a mirror polish it's a waste of effort from an RF point of view.
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Mon Feb 15, 2021 1:59 pm |
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Refurbishing beam antenna
Sangoma
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Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 1:09 pm Posts: 15913 Location: West Midlands
Feedback: 130 (100%)
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![Post Post](./styles/acidtech/imageset/icon_topic_latest.gif) Re: Refurbishing beam antenna
Slight different to above.
I have used stainless steel scourer to clean it (they are like a flat wire, pieces don't break off) and then a thin coat of Tectyl 506. Not being near the coast, Waxoyl would probably work too.
And as above for the rest.
_________________ Gee Three Eee Jay Ess - SARL, EPC
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Mon Feb 15, 2021 4:52 pm |
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Refurbishing beam antenna
bonehead
Contributor 2024
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:00 pm Posts: 3248 Location: Warrington-ish......... IO83ql
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![Post Post](./styles/acidtech/imageset/icon_topic_latest.gif) Re: Refurbishing beam antenna
_________________ never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
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Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:19 pm |
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Refurbishing beam antenna
M0IMM
Contributor 2024
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 12:02 pm Posts: 2080 Location: Rowley Regis (IO82XL)
Feedback: 225 (100%)
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![Post Post](./styles/acidtech/imageset/icon_topic_latest.gif) Re: Refurbishing beam antenna
Thanks gents, appreciated as always. Some excellent tips and a cracking article Simon.
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Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:34 pm |
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Refurbishing beam antenna
gm7vsb
Advanced Member
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:29 am Posts: 491 Location: North Ayrshire, Scotland
Feedback: 32 (100%)
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![Post Post](./styles/acidtech/imageset/icon_topic_latest.gif) Re: Refurbishing beam antenna
Do not rewind traps using copper wire, it will rot at the joint between the aluminium and copper.
Use Aluminium TIG Welding wire, you'll be able to source that locally. If not, let me know how much Al wire you need and I'll send you some.
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Mon Feb 15, 2021 10:01 pm |
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Refurbishing beam antenna
Sangoma
Advanced Member
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 1:09 pm Posts: 15913 Location: West Midlands
Feedback: 130 (100%)
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![Post Post](./styles/acidtech/imageset/icon_topic_latest.gif) Re: Refurbishing beam antenna
gm7vsb wrote: Do not rewind traps using copper wire, it will rot at the joint between the aluminium and copper.
Use Aluminium TIG Welding wire, you'll be able to source that locally. If not, let me know how much Al wire you need and I'll send you some. That is where Tectyl 506 comes in again, spray it on the wire, aluminium and screw, tighten, and a light spray on top and it will never corode.
_________________ Gee Three Eee Jay Ess - SARL, EPC
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Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:20 am |
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