[TowerTalk] Redressing / straightening aluminium elements.

[Mark Beckwith]

Robert (G0HGW) said:

> I do not think 'just bending them back in the other direction' is a
> possible solution.  Because I am sure they would not bend in the
> correct place and it could also snap them due repeated bending
> in the same place.

I routinely hand-straighten bent element pices.  Some great antennas have 
risen from piles of destroyed antenna bones.  The results are not pefect 
but:

1. you can't tell from a distance
2. you can still work people just fine
3. with experience you get better at it
4. you can save a lot of money

I imagine part of my frame of reference is because I have a large boneyard, 
therefore a seemingly endless supply of parts of all kinds of ham antennas 
(years of collecting).  That takes the fear out of experimenting - if you 
mess one up, you just rry again with another one.

Robert, let me know if you break something and maybe I have another one 
around here I can send you.

Mark, N5OT