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Re: [TowerTalk] cleaning aluminum beam elements

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] cleaning aluminum beam elements
From: "Dave Harmon" <k6xyz@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:54:21 -0600
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Hahahaha.....thanks man, you made my day!!!

Regards

Dave Harmon
K6XYZ[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Sperry, Ok.

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of TexasRF@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 12:33 PM
To: N7KA@comcast.net; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] cleaning aluminum beam elements

I am quite concerned about all the aluminum cleaning chat recently. It is  
well known that any of these abrasive cleaners and pads will leave  
micro-scratches in the aluminum surface. Due to the skin effect at our high
frequencies, 
the rf flow will encounter a maze of conduction channels that not  only will

increase the electrical length of the element, can reverse the  electron
flow, 
creating pattern nulls in some directions.
 
The only approved method of restoring beam antenna appearance and  
performance is replacement of the aluminum tubing. 
 
You can find a complete selection of NEW virgin aluminum tubing at great  
prices at _www.texastowers.com_ (http://www.texastowers.com)  under the
heading 
"aluminum". With these low prices and availability, there is no reason  to 
even think about any other restoration method. Who wants to be caught
scrubbing 
aluminum when you could be hamming it up instead?!
 
Please let me know what you need!
 
73,
Gerald Williamson K5GW
Owner/General Manager, 
Texas Towers
 
 
 
In a message dated 2/16/2008 12:02:42 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
N7KA@comcast.net writes:


SCOTCH  BRITE or similar nylon scouring pads and water.  Pads usually found 
at  home improvement stores.  Why mess with WD40, kerosene, etc that create
a  
mess and then must be cleaned off. Use wet scouring pads.  I keep a  bucket
of 
water to soak he pads.  Rinse with water and wipe dry with  paper towels or 
cloth.

A nice clean dull non-reflective surfce.   The antenna just became a bit
more 
invisaible by not reflecting  light.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT  on all my antennas.

Another  aid in the process; keep a beer handy, though do not wase it on the

aluminum.  And for the UK folks a substitute pint of bitters.  Ah,  yes,
fond 
memories of plowman's lunches while traveling in UK.

DO NOT  do this process on the concrete patio or drive way.

Arne  N7KA

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From:  "Artmouton" <k5fnq@cox.net> 

> I am putting up a used  Cushcraft A3S (with 4- meter kit) that was up for
a 
> few years (local  conditions in S. Louisiana with salt air and usual crud)

do 
> that it  has the usual tarnish, dirt, etc on the elements. 
> 
> Local  suggested cleaning it with steel wool and soap and water. 
> 
> I  intend to break each section down, clean it, open the traps, replace
any 
 
> bad end caps, remeasure and re-construct. 
> 
> Just  wondering if there were any other suggestion from the group? 
> Art  K5FNQ 
> 
> _______________________________________________  
> 
> 
> 
>  _______________________________________________ 
> TowerTalk mailing  list 
> TowerTalk@contesting.com 
>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk  
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