[TowerTalk] SteppIR vertical

[Kelly Taylor]

If they are entering from below, I would suspect it's not through a hole
that is a design flaw, but rather a hole designed as a moisture vent. I'd
think if that was the case, screening the hole is a better idea than sealing
it.

Most of the other vertical antennas with tuning boxes at the bottom (whether
mechanical (Steppir) or electrical (R5, R6000, etc) use these holes to allow
water to escape. The water isn't from leaks but from condensation.

73, kelly
ve4xt


On 9/26/10 1:44 PM, "Ryan Jairam" <rjairam at gmail.com> wrote:

> How about some compressed air?
> 
> I would be wary of cleaning out with any sort of liquid.
> 
> I would look at sealing it up properly if you think they are entering
> from below.
> 
> Ryan, N2RJ
> 
> On Sun, Sep 26, 2010 at 10:35 AM, Steve Daniel <nn4t at comcast.net> wrote:
>> Good morning. I have the 6-40 meter vertical which, until recently, has
>> worked well. Suddenly, I was hearing nothing. The element seems to cycle
>> properly but no signals.
>> After checking the coax and finding no problem I opened the unit at the
>> bottom of the antenna to find it full of ants and not a few small spiders.
>> The gasket was in good repair so they must be entering from underneath
>> somehow. My question is this. How can I clean out the mess they have left
>> without damaging the motor? Can I use an insecticide to kill the little
>> critters? Can I hose out the unit, allow it to dry, try to determine the
>> entry point and then plug it? Then perhaps I can determine what the
>> electrical problem is. I am just not sure how aggressive I can be in cleaning
>> the unit. If anyone has any experience or suggestions I would certainly
>> appreciate the input. 73, Steve, NN4T.
>> _______________________________________________
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> 
>