When you talk to 'em, ask if there's a benefit to the vinyl tape or if UV-curing self-vulcanizing splicing tape is acceptable, please. I've had horror sequences that started with 33+ and 88 on antennas and connectors, after a year or two. 73 gerry N5JXS On Mon, Dec 5, 2016 at 10:26 PM, Kim Elmore <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > After a bit of sleuthing, I've learned a bit more about the antenna > itself. I'm still awaiting time in my schedule to call Fluid Motion (makers > of the SteppIR antenna) to learn specifics. However, in all likelihood, the > rubber seals at the base of the fiberglass radomes that seals the joint > between the radomes and the stepper motors and tapes, have deteriorated. > These will all have to be replaced; they then need additional protection > from the elements using heat-shrink tubing and copious application of > UV-resistance electrical sealing tape (Scotch 33 or 88 tape) and > UV-resistant ty-wraps.. It's possible that one or both of motor/tape units > will need replacement at about $300 each. Assuming the worst, that's $600 > for new parts and probably another $100 for new seals. One radome is lost > and needs replacement, but I don't know what that will cost. These are not > simply tubes because they contain a track in which the tapes run; I'll > guess $150 but will have a more accurate figure soon. > > If we choose to sell and replace this antenna with something else that > covers the HF spectrum form 13-30 MHz, it would have to be a log periodic > design. Tennadyne is a respected name and an antenna close to the > characteristics of what we have will cost about $1100. > > 73, > > Kim Elmore, N5OP > WX5NWC Trustee > > -- > > Kim Elmore, Ph.D. (Adj. Assoc. Prof., OU School of Meteorology, CCM, PP > SEL/MEL/Glider, N5OP, 2nd Class Radiotelegraph, GROL) > > *"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in > practice, there is." – Attributed to many people; it’s so true that it > doesn’t matter who said it.* > -- Gerry Creager NSSL/CIMMS 405.325.6371 ++++++++++++++++++++++ “Big whorls have little whorls, That feed on their velocity; And little whorls have lesser whorls, And so on to viscosity.” Lewis Fry Richardson (1881-1953)