Here are two ideas; take your pick; caveat antennator... 1. Use non-metal-bearing joint compound (NOALOX) at the joints. I've never tried this; it's NOT what KLM reccommends, but it has been used and recommended by others, although never, to my knowledge, on a KT-34... 2. Pop-rivet or sheet metal screw the joints (not the capacitors, please!). -Tony, K1KP, fisher@hp-and2.an.hp.com