> I live in Northern Ohio. Every winter for a few days my TH-5 is out of
> service
> because of ice build up on the antenna causing high SWR.
>
[Steve Katz] Common problem, but it's not just "high SWR" that puts
them out of service...most antennas, when covered with a lot of ice, stop
working. If rotated and stopped too fast, the enormous added weight loading
from the ice can also snap elements, and then you have a 2 meter beam where
a 20 meter one used to be....-WB2WIK/6
> I guess every antenna can have ice problems in cold climates.
>
> 73,
> Carl
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jon Ogden" <na9d@speakeasy.net>
> To: "Guy Olinger, K2AV" <k2av@contesting.com>; <ve2dc@rac.ca>;
> <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, September 16, 2002 7:03 AM
> Subject: Re: [Towertalk] The StepIR
>
>
> > on 9/15/02 1:51 PM, Guy Olinger, K2AV at k2av@contesting.com wrote:
> >
> > > The SteppIR may fare BETTER than regular aluminum antennas in
> > > salt-spray environments.
> > >
> > > The copper tape itself is sealed inside the stepper housing and the
> > > fiberglass tubes. It is exposed only to what manages to leak inside.
> >
> > What about ice? Yes, the copper tape and the servo motor are all sealed
> > inside. But in those environs where it might get really cold, what if
> > moisture condenses inside and freezes? What then? I hadn't thought
> about
> > that but just yesterday I was talking with another ham about this
> antenna
> > and he brought up the icing point.
> >
> > Frankly, I think the antenna is a great idea. I've thought about
> getting
> > one myself although my tower cost more to put up than I expected so I
> will
> > be holding off on antenna purchases until next spring.....
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Jon
> > NA9D
> >
> > -------------------------------------
> > Jon Ogden
> > NA9D (ex: KE9NA)
> >
> > Life Member: ARRL, NRA
> > Member: AMSAT, DXCC
> >
> > http://www.qsl.net/ke9na
> >
> > "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> additional 5 percent off
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