At 09:28 AM 10/21/98 , K7LXC@aol.com wrote:
>
>In a message dated 98-10-21 09:06:08 EDT, WBH3@chrysler.com writes:
>
>> Right now, I am using something called "OX-GARD by GB" which I got at Home
>> Depot to coat the fittings where the antenna elements connect together at
>> the boom. I don"t know or have a feel whether it is necessary to do a
>> complete disassembly and re-coat all the places the assembly manual says
>> to put the originally supplied copper paste. My feelings right now are to
>> finish the assembly and then stand it on the director end and attach the
>> coax and see how it plays.
>
> Sounds reasonable. Personally I'd rather spend the money on a new one
>than try to refurb one - WAY too may connections, WAY too much work IMO. Re-
>assemble it and see if it works like it did. If it does, put it up and have
>fun.
I recently went through a rebuild of two KT-34XAs. Yes, there are
a TON of connections that need to be cleaned.
But I'm a ham. I enjoy doing work and not spending money.
I bought a pair of XA's for $450 total. I also spent $92 in replacement
parts, for a new total of $542. A pair of new antennas would have run
me $1582 for a difference of $1040.
I timed myself as to how long it took me to refurb the antenna. Each
triband element took 2 hours, times 5 elements, times 2 antennas = 20 hours.
Add in a couple more hours for final assembly and tuning = 24 hours.
$1040 saved divided by 24 hours = $43.33/hr
I'm sorry, but I don't make $43/hr. It would have been worth taking
3 days off of work...I would have still "saved" $500 even after the
lost wages!!!
---
Chad Kurszewski email: Chad_Kurszewski@csg.mot.com
Senior RF Development Engineer phone: (847) 523-8982
Motorola Inc. fax: (847) 523-0078
Cellular Subscriber Sector
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