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Clean the inside of the aluminum tubing to clear out any dirt or foreign material that would cause
the aluminum tubing sections to bind during assembly. Do not use any type of oil or general
lubricant between the aluminum tubing sections. Oils or general lubricants can cause poor electrical
connections for radio frequencies.
Clean the outside of the aluminum tubing to clear any dirt or foreign material that would cause the
clamps to malfunction during assembly.
The use of
JTL-12555 Jet-Lube SS-30
is highly recommended. Jet-Lube is an electrical joint
compound which effects a substantial electrical connection between metal parts such as telescoping
aluminum tubing or other antenna pieces. Using Jet-Lube assures high conductivity at all voltage
levels by displacing moisture and preventing corrosion or oxidation.
When assembling the aluminum tubing sections, ensure the area is clear of grass, dirt or other
foreign material that could cause problems during assembly of the closely fitted telescoping
sections.
Element Assembly
Locate the four aluminum element tubes. Using a felt tip pen and tape measure, mark the 0.5” OD,
0.625” OD and 0.75” OD tubes as shown in
Figure 9
at 4” from the end. Note the 0.5” OD tube is
turned around compared to the other aluminum element tubes. The 0.875 OD is not marked.
Figure 9 - Marking the Aluminum Tube Elements
Assemble the vertical sections in an area that is flat and has sufficient room for the length of the
antenna during assembly. Lay the tubing out in descending OD sizes. Orient the slits in the tubes
toward as shown in
Figure 9
. The bottom 0.875" OD base section has no slits.
Each tubing section is inserted 4" into the next larger tube. Assembly is easier if the overlaps in the
tubing sections are pre-marked.
