[TowerTalk] Cushcraft XM-240 Shortty-Forty questions

[Jon Zaimes]

The newer XM-240s (MFJ) that I've seen use the painted-on coating, not shrink-wrap as the earlier ones did. I've installed a couple and have not had any reports of failures.

My own older XM-240, in service here about three years and in Virginia before that for about 12 years, has the original shrink wrap and screws, and I've had no problems. But others have had trouble with the screw/wire connection after some years of service. I have repaired these with a stainless through-bolt and lock nut.

W1WEF wrote up a detailed fix for this (on the earlier 40-2CD): https://www.yccc.org/Scuttlebutt/2008/Butt0808.pdf

73/Jon

Jon P. Zaimes, AA1K
Tower climber for hire
http://www.aa1k.us/
Cell: 302-632-2353

Reviews of AA1K tower work on eham website: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12922

Hug your favorite tower every day, and always stay connected to it.

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of RVZ via TowerTalk
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2020 6:08 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Cushcraft XM-240 Shortty-Forty questions

Hi Guys,

I purchased a Cushcraft XM-240 which was new in the box but was made about 10 years ago.  The label on the box says "Cushcraft XM-240", and doesn't mention MFJ, so perhaps it was made by Cushcraft.   My questions pertains to the 4 loading coils.  I believe the loading coils made by MFJ have heat shrink tubing over the coil, is that correct? The loading coils on this XM-240 don't have heat shrink tubing over them, rather the coil is covered with a thick shiny black epoxy which is very hard.  The epoxy has really sealed up the coils and self tapping screws that connect the coils to the aluminum tubing.  I believe the epoxy would be rather difficult to remove so I'm wondering if I'm likely to have reliable results using the traps "as-is" for a couple years, or if I should remove the hard epoxy from the self- tapping screws now and replace them with screws, nuts, and lock washers?  If I do replace the screws, should I cover them with more epoxy, use heat shrink tubing, or both?  Thanks & 73, Dick- K9OMWisconsin _______________________________________________



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