[aprssig] new diamond x500hna

[Gerry Creager N5JXS]

Good points.  One suggestion is to avoid the PVC (Scotch 33+) tape and 
use self-vulcanizing (Scotch 130) tape.  If overcoated with 33+, 88/88+ 
or ScotchKote (liquid polymer) the seal can be readily removed but is 
less likely to fail than the PVC tape is, in my experience.

gerry

Kriss & Erin Kliegle wrote:
> Howdy from NH....
>  
>    I've used them for years, but they will fail unless you do preventive 
> maintenance. The white paint /*will */fail, depending upon wind, 
> pollution(dust & sand abrasion), and UV intensity. When the paint fails, 
> the fiberglass becomes a wick, and soaks up water! The guts inside will 
> corrode due to dissimilar metals... rolled brass tubing joined with 
> steel connectors to attaching copper loading coils. The foam used inside 
> to keep the guts from rattling around also absorb water, corroding the 
> metal to which it's glued. I've seen one antenna have the guts collapse 
> internally due to this type of failure. On QRZ.com I read that one 
> (idiot?) waxxed his antenna once a year to keep the paint in good shiny 
> condition.
>    To keep the joints from leaking, wrapping them w/Super 33+ electrical 
> tape will help, but guying the antenna to keep it from flexing is the 
> key. Side mounted to tower (+1/4wave length away) and guyed with PVC (UV 
> resistant, electrical conduit) to tower will keep it from flexing in wind.
>  
> Hope it's not too late. I just re-established myself back on the APRS sig.
>  
> Kriss - KA1GJU
>  
> KA1GJU-3  WX-Digipeater  100% Solar Powered w/a 10 yr. old Diamond X-510
> W1WQM repeater also 100% Solar and wind Powered w/a Diamond X-510 
> look-a-like
>  
> 
> 
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-- 
Gerry Creager -- gerry.creager at tamu.edu
Texas Mesonet -- AATLT, Texas A&M University	
Cell: 979.229.5301 Office: 979.458.4020 FAX: 979.847.8578
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Office: 903A Eller Bldg, TAMU, College Station, TX 77843