>Message-Id: 1169_zs1ctc
>From: zs1afz@zs1ctc
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>
>Hi Folks,
> MOSELEY TA-33 JR TRIBANDER BEAM ANTENNA
>
> My friend is experiencing problems with his antenna. It does work
>100% on 10 and 15 meters, but doesn't want to work on 20 meters.
> He suspects that the traps are burnt.
> Please can someone advise from where he can order replacement
>driver traps?
> Your help will be much appreciated! Many thanks in advance.
>73/88 Maria (zs1afz@zs1ctc.ctech.ac.za)
>
As noted in another reply, the traps can be ordered from Mosley. I would
suggest doing a visual check of each trap first. The 20 meter operation can
be effected by the trap as it becomes a loading coil on 20 meters. The
Mosley TA-33Jr traps are duo band and actually contain two traps in each
cylinder. To disassemble the trap, first mark each end as tip and boom.
Remove the soft plastic weather boot. Remove the screw in one end and slide
out the trap coil. If it is burned, you will see it. You can order just the
coil part, approximately $25.00 each, plus shipping. I have found the
plastic coil form twisted/split and the coil wire down in the split touching
the center aluminum tube. I have, also, seen the insulation where the screw
goes in break down and arc to the center tube. I have seen one of the wires
from the trap coil break off on an old TA-33JR, I imagine after many years
of wind flexing.
As a matter of routine maintenance, when the antenna is down, it is worth
the time to inspect all the traps, clean out the spyders, and I even have
sprayed them with clear Krylon to moisture proof them.
Good luck.
73, K8Joe"Palooka"
K8JP, K8JP/VA2, VP5/K8JP, VP5JP, ex-K8HKM, ex-KN8HKM
Secretary, NIDXA
palooka@pyrotechnics.com
snail mail:
Joe Pontek, K8JP
P. O. Box 59573
Schaumburg, IL 60159-0573
(847) 885-8871 (home)
(847) 519-7420 (work)
(847) 619-3250 (FAX)
U.S.A.
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