[TowerTalk] Removal of an Old Antenna Installation

[Sam Andrews]

This morning I removed all antenna system components from my tower in preparation for a replacement project.  I thought I would share what I found in case anyone might find it useful.  All of this was installed in 1989.

Antenna.  Vintage 1970 Hornet Tribander.  Shot, as you might guess.

Hardware.  Stainless hardware good shape and easily removable.  Non-stainless u-bolts horribly rusted, but fortunately they twisted off easily. Stainless hose clamps came off easily, ones with non-stainless screws will  have to be abandoned in place or cut off.

Rotator.  Vintage 1970 CDE, good shape.

Antenna Mast.  1-1/2" EMT conduit, good shape, little rust.

Rotator Cable:  Standard 4-wire telephone cable, good shape.

Cable Ties:  14 AWG copper, good shape but insulation gone.  I used short pieces of this wire to tie off everything possible, thinking tape would deteriorate quickly.

Inverted Vee Outriggers:  Light duty TV mast, badly rusted.

Transmission Line Connections:  Good shape, no evidence of moisture infiltration.  I used PL-259s at the end of the transmission line, a PL-258 barrel connector, and antenna jumper cables with PL-259.  I filled the connectors with silicone grease, tightened slightly more than finger tight, and taped with two layers of Scotch brand tape.

Transmission Lines:  RG-8 and RG-58.  Stiff as a board, no evidence of water infiltration on top couple of feet.

"Thrust Bearing":  Rather than a manufactured bearing, I used a short piece of Wolmanized (trade name) treated 2 x 4  lumber bolted to the tower top plate and drilled to accept the mast.  Amazingly, it was still in good shape  --  no cracks, not even checkered cracks, no signs of mildew, no warping.  I installed a piece of rubber plumbing drain pipe coupling around the mast to prevent water from running down the mast into the drilled mast hole.  It crumbled in my hands, but was still intact and functional.


73, Sam  AE5L