[TowerTalk] Evaluating a Mosley TA-33 for purchase

[Derek Cohn/WB0TUA]

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to look at a Mosley TA-33 this weekend.  The beam has been stored for 15 years so it's condition is unknown.  The best I know is that it "was working before we took it down".

I have never purchased a beam before.  I'm an organizer of a Field Day group in St. Louis, MO and the guys want to try a beam this year.  I'm going to see the TA-33 in hopes that we can use it for Field Day.  I guess there is a possiblity that it could one day hover over my house but, at this time, we're looking at it for an occasional annual use and then store it in the attic above my garage.

My understanding is that the traps on older Mosley beams can be troublesome.  I have heard that the coil forms can degrade over time and cause the trap to function improperly.  I'm hoping to get some tips for evaluating this beam, especially the traps when I go look at it.

I know that replacement parts are available from Mosley but I also hear that they are so high priced that it's not practical to replace major assemblies like the traps.

Can someone suggest what the frequent failure points are for this antenna that should be examined.  Any method for evaluating the traps other than visually?

Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

73,

Derek Cohn
Morse Telegraph Club - Alton Chapter
Office UD, Sine DJ
Amateur Radio Station - WBØTUA
1969 Brunswick M274A5 Mechanical Mule