Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] Cushcraft XM-240 Shortty-Forty questions

To: K9MA <k9ma@sdellington.us>, "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cushcraft XM-240 Shortty-Forty questions
From: john nistico <electric911inc@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2020 23:19:51 +0000
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I just got a steppir with 40 meter add on it I love it.

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
________________________________
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> on behalf of K9MA 
<k9ma@sdellington.us>
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2020 7:08:54 PM
To: towertalk@contesting.com <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cushcraft XM-240 Shortty-Forty questions

I had an original Cushcraft A3S, which had trap coils and screws coated
with the hard epoxy. The screws clearly weren't going to turn, and I
never saw any evidence of poor connections, but I suppose the material
could have yielded. Replacement traps I got from MFJ (after insect
damage) had no coating on the traps, loose screws, wires wrapped
backwards, etc. They were junk. I would not recommend buying any MFJ
Cushcraft or HyGain antennas.

I currently have an old Cushcraft D40, also pre-MFJ. I'm pretty sure
they have shrink tubing over the coils, though there may be epoxy under
that.

Unless you see evidence of poor connections at the screws, I would leave
them as is. If the epoxy looks like it's suffering UV damage, it might
be worth covering it with UV-resistant shrink tubing or tape. I wouldn't
think the stray capacitance would be as critical is it is in traps.

My D40 has been working for over 25 years, though I did have to replace
the center insulators, and the elements aren't quite straight any more.

73,
Scott K9MA

On 9/12/2020 5:07 PM, RVZ via TowerTalk wrote:
> Hi Guys,
>
> I purchased a Cushcraft XM-240 which was new in the box but was made about 10 
> years ago.  The label on the box says "Cushcraft XM-240", and doesn't mention 
> MFJ, so perhaps it was made by Cushcraft.   My questions pertains to the 4 
> loading coils.  I believe the loading coils made by MFJ have heat shrink 
> tubing over the coil, is that correct? The loading coils on this XM-240 don't 
> have heat shrink tubing over them, rather the coil is covered with a thick 
> shiny black epoxy which is very hard.  The epoxy has really sealed up the 
> coils and self tapping screws that connect the coils to the aluminum tubing.  
> I believe the epoxy would be rather difficult to remove so I'm wondering if 
> I'm likely to have reliable results using the traps "as-is" for a couple 
> years, or if I should remove the hard epoxy from the self- tapping screws now 
> and replace them with screws, nuts, and lock washers?  If I do replace the 
> screws, should I cover them with more epoxy, use heat shrink tubing, or both? 
>  Thanks
  & 73, Dick- K9OMWisconsin
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk


--
Scott  K9MA

k9ma@sdellington.us

_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>