[TowerTalk] CushCraft A3

[K3GM]

Ray, if I could offer only one piece of advice on the A3 refurb, that would 
be to mark the outer traps on the director elements before disassembly. 
They look the same as the outer traps on the driven and reflector elements 
but they resonate at slightly different frequencies, and aren't marked with 
a permanent identification.  This happened to me and I finally resorted to 
an HP network analyzer to differentiate the two different type traps..  A 
grid dip meter was way to coarse to identify them.  You'll probably also 
want to replace the trap caps while you're at it.  Cushcraft wants the 
proverbial arm and leg for them.  The only other problem I had with mine was 
separating the two tubes which make up the boom.  They are inserted into a 
center tube section and if not protected from corrosion, will be stuck for 
sure.  I used a penatrating spray and left it soak for a few days. I mounted 
the boom to a temporary mast and used the center section of an element as a 
big handle to rock the boom tube back and forth until it loosened and pulled 
free.  I used a Scotchbrite pad as you suggested to remove corrosion and 
reassembled it using anti-oxide goop. Good luck with your refurb.

Tom Hybiske, K3GM

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <nd8l at juno.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2005 8:25 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] CushCraft A3


>I have been offered a CushCraft A3
> and plan to use it on my tower fixed
> to Europe.  Anybody know where I can
> purchase or otherwise acquire a manual?
>
> Any tips on re-habbing/testing the beam
> prior to installation?  My inital plan
> is to replace all the hardware/clamps,
> scotchbrite and penetrox.

>
>