I had a hygain th3 stored in my garage for about 15 years and found that all
the plastic had become brittle. The trap end caps would fall apart when
touched. I ordered new end caps and when I went to install them I discovered
that the plastic inside that supports the elements was in the same shape,
very brittle and broken up. The antenna was useless. I have a mosley TA-33
and have had no problems with the plastic at all but it is not quite as old
yet.
73
Gary K4FMX
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-
> bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of D. Scott MacKenzie
> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:49 PM
> To: Paul Christensen; Derek Cohn/WB0TUA; Towertalk
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Evaluating a Mosley TA-33 for purchase
>
> With a good cleaning the TA-33 traps would last forever...spider webs
> always
> caused me problems. But it was up for many years before I put up a TH6DXX
> -
> and that was up for many years before I gave it away to my club (Zero
> Beaters - Washington MO) when I moved to three land....much too big for my
> small suburban lot
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Paul Christensen
> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:44 PM
> To: Derek Cohn/WB0TUA; Towertalk
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Evaluating a Mosley TA-33 for purchase
>
>
> > My understanding is that the traps on older Mosley beams can be
> > troublesome.
>
> Prior to the purchase, I would assemble the driven element and elevate it
> at
> least 16' above ground. Connect suitable cabling and check VSWR on
> 20/15/10
> meters. This will provide a clue if the traps have been burned. The
> reflector and director traps will not be subject to the same extreme
> heating
> that can occur as on the TA-33 driven element. This was a significant
> problem for ops such as myself who purchased a TA-33 Jr. as a novice, then
> upgraded our licenses to run the full legal limit. Mosley offered the MP-
> 33
> driven element in response to the many burned out TA-33 Jr driven-element
> traps.
>
> Finally, I would check the integrity of the four phenolic driven-element
> stand-off insulators to ensure they are not cracked from UV and/or
> over-stress. Mosley used to provide a liquid UV protectant that was
> applied
> with a brush from a half-pint-sized can. It actually did a good job of
> protecting the antenna and went on like a varnish.
>
> Other items to check are corrosive and stripped hardware as well as
> possible
> cracks on the black plastic used on the trap ends. Any hardware requiring
> attention should be replaced with stainless steel at every opportunity.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
>
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