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Re: [TowerTalk] Making aluminum tubes telescope smoothly,with good elect

To: "Kristinn Andersen" <tf3kx@simnet.is>,"TowerTalk" <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Making aluminum tubes telescope smoothly,with good electrical conductivity?
From: "Mark - AA6DX" <AA6DX@ARRL.NET>
Reply-to: Mark - AA6DX <AA6DX@ARRL.net>
Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 10:16:02 -0700
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Kristinn ... here is what I would use ... FINGERSTOCK
http://www.surplussales.com/RF/RFFingerstk-1.html
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kristinn Andersen" <tf3kx@simnet.is>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Cc: "'Kristinn Andersen'" <tf3kx@simnet.is>
Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 6:37 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Making aluminum tubes telescope smoothly,with good
electrical conductivity?


> Hi:
>
>
>
> I am working on an extensible vertical consisting of a 6m/18ft outer
> aluminum tube (40mm/1.5" diameter) and an inner aluminum tube that can be
> extended out of it with a motor mechanism.  For certain reasons the inner
> tube has to be substantially slimmer than the outer one, probably around
> 25mm/1" diameter.  So, to make a reasonably tight fit I will make a
> narrowing "collar" at the top of the outer tube, where the inner one will
> emerge upwards.  Furthermore, at the bottom of the inner tube I will 
> fasten
> a cylinder that almost fills the outer tube, providing mechanical
> stability there.  Sort of like a piston inside the outer tube.  Thus, the 
> mechanical
> connections or interfaces between the outer tube and the inner tube are at
> the top of the outer tube and at the bottom of the inner tube.  At these 
> key
> points I need to ensure:

> a)    Good electrical contact (so that antenna currents can continue
> from
> the outer tube to the extended inner tube;
>
> b)       Minimal mechanical friction as the inner tube is pushed up and
> retracted back down.
> Are there any suggestions on this?  What metal should I use that slides
> with low friction against the aluminum tube wall, does not corrode at the
> contact and provides good conductivity?
> 73 - Kris, TF3KX (http://www.simnet.is/net/tf3kx)


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