| Author |
Message |
    
Frog
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 10:01 pm: | 
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Hello there. I was just curious, is it normal for a Solarcon A99 to make a "cracking" or "ticking" sound when it's about 11 degrees out? It doesn't do this constantly, but after about 3-5 minutes I noticed it. I thought maybe it's because the antenna is spring loaded and the cold has some sort of affect on it. All responses welcome! Thanks. |
Tech833
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 11:26 pm: |
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The fiberglass is de-laminating from the plastic core. Do not be terribly alarmed. |
307
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 7:48 pm: |
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WOW , Tech833 , we are razor sharp today!!!!
307 |
Tech833
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 9:08 pm: |
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I have my moments....
Don't ask me anything about CB radios though, you'll just get a blank dumbfounded look from me. |
Kiwikid
| | Posted on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 4:07 am: |
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Hello Team,
Hey Frog lots of folk down my way have those antenna and they de-laminate BIG TIME once they age abit.The outer protctive clear coating on the radome breaks down from exposer to UV and weathering and expose the damaging fibres which are very irrating on contact so wear protective clothing i.e. gloves,face mask and eye glasses when handling the antenna when it is in this condition.The antenna soak up moister like blotting paper and create a lot of havoc with the tuning section i.e.internal oxidation.
It would be wise to waterproof the antenna with numerous coates of a lead free marine varnish or something similar.
Good DX
41-HN3800
Kiwi Kid |
Tech833
| | Posted on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 10:21 am: |
|
Good advice Kiwi.
I would suggest using white auto primer instead of the varnish. I own a wood boat (1964 Chris Craft) and I can tell you that varnish does not hold up well to sunlight. All my upper body strength was gained by the sanding and varnishing I do constantly.
White auto primer (lead free of course) holds up for years. |
Bigbob
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 10:57 pm: |
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So does green marine epoxy,heh,heh. |
Tech833
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 11:46 am: |
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What marine epoxy? West Systems? |
Galaxyraider
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 1:53 pm: |
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I know this is an older thread on the A99 But for interested readers. I put up a new one and before It went up I used a good half inch electrical tape on all three sections to protect it.
Starting at the top of all sections. I spiraled taught the tape overlapping 1/4 inch all the way down. It has a 1.2.1 swr max on 11 meters.
This will eliminate the delaminating due to age. |
Slim1
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 11:55 pm: |
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expensive idea:heat shrink tubing over all 3 sections,then tape the joints!!LOL!! i know it
would work,but that would be some very expensive
shrink tubing! probably even more interesting
trying to locate the proper sizes! SLIM |
Barracuda
| | Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 8:45 pm: |
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Galaxyraider,
I hate to second guess people, but wouldn't it have been better to start taping at the bottom so the upper wraps would overlap the lower and shed water better? I'm not so much worried about the fiberglass, but rather the adhesive on the tape.
Just a thought.
Barracuda |
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