PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-560
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 560
JULY 1999
PS 560
49
PS 560
48
JUL 99
If you still find stress cracks, the
problem could be the cord is working
loose.
.
Your six antenna feed sockets catch
dirt and moisture that lead to corro-
sion. Keep them clean with isopropyl
alcohol, NSN 6810-00-753-4993, and
a foam swab, NSN 7045-01-154-1317.
2.
Loop the cord around an antenna
feed on the lower cone. Then loop it
around a feed on the upper cone.
3.
Weave the cord up, down and
around until you get back to where
you started.
4.
Pull it tight and tie it with two more
half-hitches.
5.
Trim any extra cord and melt the
edges to prevent fraying.
what's
wrong
with the
antenna? it
looks
sick
.
i
am
sick!
corroded
connectors
,
broken
cable
! i'm a
mess
!
OE-254 Antenna . . .
Use the cap any time the RF cable is
not connected to the feedcone. Too
many caps dangle down and flop
around, not being used. All it takes
is a few seconds to screw the cap on
the connector, but it could save a
feedcone connector from being ruined
by corrosion.
Now turn the feedcone over and
check it for stress cracks.
If your feedcones are cracking, put
the word out to your unit on how to
reinforce the feedcone with nylon cord,
NSN 4020-00-262-2019:
1.
Cut about three feet of cord. Tie
one end to an upper cone antenna feed
using two half-hitches. Cinch the knot
tight.
id you hear the one about how im-
portant preventive maintenance is to
the OE-254 antenna?
No?
Then read this article, copy it and
stick a copy in each OE-254 kit.
AS-3166 Feedcone Assembly
The feedcone is the heart of your
antenna. Start your “heart” PM by giv-
ing it a little shake. If you hear a rattle,
the magnetic core inside likely has bro-
ken loose. Turn it in and get another
feedcone.
One way to help keep the feedcone
on the job is to be careful raising
and lowering the mast. See Para 2-9 of
TM 11-5985-357-13 for details.
If the feedcone passes the shake test,
look inside the RF connector cap. It
should have a rubber insert. If it’s miss-
ing, replace the cap.
Give feedcone a shake
Start off with two half-hitches
Loop cord around all
antenna feeds and tie it off
Insert missing? Replace cap
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