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Re: [CQ-Contest] Be Icephobic - Before You Put Them Back Up - Read

To: Ken Widelitz <widelitz@gte.net>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Be Icephobic - Before You Put Them Back Up - Read
From: Michael Tope <W4EF@dellroy.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:49:05 -0800
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>

Ken Widelitz wrote:

>ICEPHOBIC  COATINGS
>
>Yes, I am an icephobic. The January ice storm in PEI took down many
>antennas, including two stacked M2 125 MPH rated, 6 element 20 meter yagis
>on 59' booms.
>
>The booms broke right in half, about 2' from the mast, in the same place on
>both antennas. Before they went back up, I painted all the aluminum with an
>icephobic coating from http://www.wearlon.com/Eice.htm. $200 per gallon.
>About 1.5 gallons to do 5 large yagis. It is supposed to cut ice loading by
>a large factor. They have detailed charts on their website. I painted the
>first couple of antennas with a primer and two coats of the Wearlon, but
>then did one with just one coat of Wearlon and when it dried the cover and
>adhesiveness was no different than with the primer and two coats.
>
>I also used 1/2" thick aluminum in the center 10' insert for the 20 meter
>yagi booms, instead of the 1/10" inserts that failed.
>
>On the bright side, when Mother Nature brings an antenna down, you know it
>is big enough.
>
>73, Ken, K6LA / VY2TT
>
>
>  
>
I am curious if anyone has ever tried developing an active de-icing 
system for yagis whereby the elements are heated to prevent ice buildup 
(no jokes about California KWs please)?

Mike W4EF.................

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