Topband: rohn insulators

[Stan Stockton]

Wearlon Super F-1 Icephoebic paint.  If you look at that website somewhere you will see a picture of a tape measure showing 2-1/8 inches of radial ice that I had on everything.  Despite antennas that were built for a lot of ice and elements rated at 130-150 mph wind, I had a few failures with that much ice.  I think I had two 20m elements break that were over five inches in diameter (yikes) with the full load of ice.   All the 40m elements broke and two booms broke.  Granted we have never seen another ice storm like that since.  Not sure "how" effective the paint is after a decade, but no question it is effective.  After it is applied it is slick, like silicone.  You can put water on it and it beads up like something that has Rain X.

The last time I used it, I rolled it on instead of spraying.  No overspray and it's expensive.

73...Stan, K5GO

> On Dec 18, 2015, at 7:44 AM, Lloyd - N9LB <lloydberg at charter.net> wrote:
> 
> Nice web site, Stan!
> 
> One of the pix says you paint your antennas with "icephobic paint".  Are you
> kidding or is there paint that is less likely to build up ice?  Can you give
> us details about that?
> 
> 73
> 
> Lloyd - N9LB
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Stan
> Stockton
> Sent: Friday, December 18, 2015 4:59 AM
> To: Merv Schweigert <k9fd at flex.com>
> Cc: topband at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: Topband: rohn insulators
> 
> Those look identical to the ones I made for my 8m 4 Square Towers.
> Use G10, not just any fiberglass.  The G10 rod is more like $20.00 per foot
> retail, unless you do a little searching.  The one thing I would do
> differently is add a washer over the machined ends of the fiberglass
> insulators to put a flat against the unturned portion of the insulator
> instead of the sharp edges from the ends of the tower legs.  Those sharp
> edges can splinter the fiberglass.  Also if you span the joint with flat G10
> material (maybe 4 inches wide by 18 inches long by 3/8 inches thick) it will
> at least reduce if not eliminate the lateral movement.
> 
> I have Fiberglas rod guying them now but for many years had four 70 foot
> towers unguyed with this setup at the base.
> 
> It is interesting that a lot of hams are let's say "thrifty" but when it
> comes to having something made or making it themselves to save hundreds or
> even thousands of dollars, many will pay whatever it takes to buy the end
> product.
> 
> http://k5go.com/40-meters/
> 
> 73...Stan, K5GO
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Dec 17, 2015, at 10:43 PM, Merv Schweigert <k9fd at flex.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 20 mins work with a 5.00 fibre glass rod spun in a lathe, sort of 
>> grossly overpriced exaggeration of a Rohn insulator.
>> 
>>> I believe there is a slight misrepresentation here. I've never seen 
>>> these in any Rohn catalog. Rather than calling them Rohn 25 tower
> insulators, I think they are better described as insulators for Rohn 25
> tower.
>>> 
>>> 73, Roger
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 12/17/2015 7:49 PM, w5jmw at towerfarm.net wrote:
>>>> ok,the station wanting the insulators for a rohn 25.there is a set 
>>>> available from ab5k.he is listing them on e-bay set of 3.look for 
>>>> dxer49 on e-bay.I believe they are new..73 john _________________ 
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