Over the last couple of decades I have had numerous enjoyable email
conversations about antenna design, interaction, stacking etc with the
previous owner of OptiBeam. I own two OB2-40 and two OB4-40 beams. Long
ago I had asked him what aluminum they used and if I recall the answer was
something non-specific like aircraft aluminum. Years later Tom mentioned
that OptiBeam started using a stronger grade aluminum but again I do not
know the specifics. Since your antenna is newer, it probably has the better
grade. What broke and why? The 6060 grade of tubing that you found is heat
treatable, you did not list the temper in your post. 6060 -0 is soft and
6060 -T6 has a higher strength and hardness. What is your source is for
metric tubing? If your tubing source does not work out and if DX
Engineering cannot provided replacement pieces, another option sometimes is
to use a close sized imperial tubing and either replace that section or
splice the bad area. Metric tubing does not telescope with a tight fit so
it is possible that a slightly different diameter will still work.
GL,
John KK9A
Paul N1BUG wrote:
Hi,
Does anyone know with high confidence what aluminum alloy the tubing in
a OB1-4030 (purchased new in 2021) would be? DX Engineering could not
help. WiMo has not yet responded.
I am trying to repair my storm damaged antenna. The only tubing I can
find in the correct size is 6060. That seems very soft for antennas but
given the appearance of the bend in the original maybe it was rather
soft. I can get it at a very good price through September 30, so I am
running out of time to find out whether this is suitable.
73,
Paul N1BUG
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