[TowerTalk] Stainless U-bolts for Cushcraft antennas

[Bill VanAlstyne, W5WVO]

Keith,

Dunno. Others on the list may comment on zinc-aluminum contact interaction, if
there is any. But
I'd recommend staying with s/s parts, with the caveat that you use a good
anti-seize on the threads when assembling. They will last pretty much forever if
you do that. Penetrox works fine, as do most auto-shop anti-seize compounds.
Some will say to steer clear of anti-seize with copper flakes in it; I've never
encountered any problem with that type, but probably best to avoid it.

Bill


Keith Dutson wrote:
> Galvanized u-bolts are nice, but hard to find.  Would they work for
> this
> application?
>
> 73, Keith NM5G
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill
> VanAlstyne,
> W5WVO
> Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 9:04 AM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Stainless U-bolts for Cushcraft antennas
>
> Typical of Cushcraft s/s u-bolts and nuts, which will gall if you so
> much as
> look at them the wrong way. And why don't they tell you in the manual
> that
> you need to use some kind of anti-seize when you assemble their
> stuff? You
> tell me, I dunno. When I had to replace all the Cushcraft stainless
> hardware
> in my yagi, I ordered them from Cushcraft under warranty (the antenna
> had
> been up for less than three months) on the basis that they did not
> even
> mention the possibility of galling in their manual. They filled the
> order
> without charge. If the antenna has been up a while, of course, you're
> probably out of luck in that regard.
> Despite the fact that they did cough up the replacements under
> warranty, the
> experience has not exactly endeared me to Cushcraft and their
> materials, as
> it shouldn't have happened in the first place.
>
> Bill / W5WVO
>
>
> R.Sigismonti wrote:
>> We are in the process of a major maintenance program here at N3RS.  I
>> have several 15M & 10M Yagis that use tubing & parts from Cushcraft
>> Yagis and cannot find a source for replacing several U-bolts that
>> have galled and cannot be reused.  They are the long (~4") U-bolts
>> that pass through the element and mate it with the 2" boom.  Anyone
>> know of a source of such U-bolts?
>>
>> They are for 2" OD tubing with 5/16" shank that is 4 inches long.
>> The threads are about 2 inches long.
>>
>> Sig
>>
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>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers",
> "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041
> with any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers",
> "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free,
> 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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