[TowerTalk] Broken Element Tip

[Tom Rauch]

> The tip of the reflector on a Force-12 6L 10M yagi
(EF-610) broke off
> right at the rivet.  The tip is 0.375" OD dia and 44.375"
long and fits
> into the next larger 0.50" dia section.  I suspect that it
vibrated until
> it fatigued and then fell off.

The same thing happened to my Force 12 ten meter yagi. The
elements vibrated, and a tip broke off. I couldn't get rope
in the elements because the rivets are in the way, so I
stuck some pieces of thin rope in as far as I could and let
it go at that.

I also bought a used 80/40 antenna that looks in great shape
otherwise, but the rivets are all wallowed out in all the
larger diameter longer elements. I haven't decided what to
do with it yet. I'll probably just keep it for parts.

My conclusions are rivets are a *very* poor method of
securing elements, and antennas need dampers inside
elements.

73 Tom