[aprssig] Re: new diamond x500hna

[kd4ydc at juno.com]

Mmmmmm sealing it....
Be careful.  It doesn't matter how much you seal it...it is going to sweat.  Yes, seal joints up real good and maybe even the "special" paint might not be a bad idea.  Is there going to be ANY type of "duplexed" repeaeters on this thing?  (juno doesn't copy text over to a reply...so I don't know)  If there is....I wouldn't put that thing on the top.  I had a Diamond X-3200 at the top of a 200ft tower.  P-Static everywhere.  The porcupines on the tower will help (look on repeater-builder.com).

The biggest thing to remember (that I didn't) was that it has a built in drip or weep hole in the bottom.  Don't seal that up.  (mine was full of water) Also...slide the antenna out of it's radome.  Tighten the allen screws up tight....then solder the rod to the adapter.  Use a really big iron to get the solder to flow really well into the adapter.  This will cure any chance of it flexing and coming lose.  That is a big antenna....the flexing WILL cause it to come lose and your swr will shoot sky high.

Good Luck,
Robert




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