[TowerTalk] cleaning aluminum beam elements

[TexasRF at aol.com]

I am quite concerned about all the aluminum cleaning chat recently. It is  
well known that any of these abrasive cleaners and pads will leave  
micro-scratches in the aluminum surface. Due to the skin effect at our high  frequencies, 
the rf flow will encounter a maze of conduction channels that not  only will 
increase the electrical length of the element, can reverse the  electron flow, 
creating pattern nulls in some directions.
 
The only approved method of restoring beam antenna appearance and  
performance is replacement of the aluminum tubing. 
 
You can find a complete selection of NEW virgin aluminum tubing at great  
prices at _www.texastowers.com_ (http://www.texastowers.com)  under the  heading 
"aluminum". With these low prices and availability, there is no reason  to 
even think about any other restoration method. Who wants to be caught  scrubbing 
aluminum when you could be hamming it up instead?!
 
Please let me know what you need!
 
73,
Gerald Williamson K5GW
Owner/General Manager, 
Texas Towers
 
 
 
In a message dated 2/16/2008 12:02:42 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
N7KA at comcast.net writes:


SCOTCH  BRITE or similar nylon scouring pads and water.  Pads usually found 
at  home improvement stores.  Why mess with WD40, kerosene, etc that create a  
mess and then must be cleaned off. Use wet scouring pads.  I keep a  bucket of 
water to soak he pads.  Rinse with water and wipe dry with  paper towels or 
cloth.

A nice clean dull non-reflective surfce.   The antenna just became a bit more 
invisaible by not reflecting  light.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT  on all my antennas.

Another  aid in the process; keep a beer handy, though do not wase it on the  
aluminum.  And for the UK folks a substitute pint of bitters.  Ah,  yes, fond 
memories of plowman's lunches while traveling in UK.

DO NOT  do this process on the concrete patio or drive way.

Arne  N7KA

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From:  "Artmouton" <k5fnq at cox.net> 

> I am putting up a used  Cushcraft A3S (with 4- meter kit) that was up for a 
> few years (local  conditions in S. Louisiana with salt air and usual crud) 
do 
> that it  has the usual tarnish, dirt, etc on the elements. 
> 
> Local  suggested cleaning it with steel wool and soap and water. 
> 
> I  intend to break each section down, clean it, open the traps, replace any 
 
> bad end caps, remeasure and re-construct. 
> 
> Just  wondering if there were any other suggestion from the group? 
> Art  K5FNQ 
> 
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