PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-576
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 576
NOVEMBER 2000
PS 576
53
NOV 00
PS 576
52
NOV 00
Antennas . . .
and it turns to ice. That can crack the
glass. Also, the freezing temperatures
make the glass more brittle. So handle
it carefully.
If you’re in an extreme cold and fro-
zen situation, mountain pitons are ex-
cellent anchors for guy ropes. Go into
the FED LOG-AMDF and do a name
search, using PITON, MOUNTAIN. It
will identify 32 NSNs you can tag and
view.
In addition, in extreme cold, ropes
can freeze to the ground and to guys
tied to these anchor ropes. Wear gloves
and take your time when handling
them.
If even cold-weather stakes fail, tie
your rope to something sturdy, like a
tree or pole. In any case, never use
fewer guys than your TM calls for. If
do your
worst
, old man
winter! i'm all
secured
and
pm
ready
for
anything
you can
dish out!
Use cold-weather stakes
our mast-type antennas need special
PM attention when Old Man Winter
blows into town.
Frozen ground makes it tough to
drive in a guy stake. So cold-weather
stakes may be just what you need to
make the going a little easier. Get the
GP-101 cold-weather stake with NSN
But you have to watch those cold-
weather stakes. They’re slimmer, so
they don’t hold as well when the
ground thaws. Keep an eye on them
during warming days.
Keep insulators
clean and dry
Tie guys to
stationary
objects
Protect the cable by taping it to the
antenna. That keeps it from being
whipped by the wind.
Normal tape loses some of its stay-
ing power in sub-freezing temperatures,
so use cold-weather tape, NSN 5970-
00-240-0620.
Once you’ve wiped the bowl clean
and dry, reach for your tube of silicone
again. Seal the insulator before you join
the two halves.
Cable Care
Your RF cables need special han-
dling during cold weather, too. Insula-
tion becomes brittle and can break. That
can damage delicate inside wiring and
also let moisture in.
you use less, your antenna may end up
on the ground.
Grease the Joints
To keep your antenna joints from
freezing up, just add some lube. A little
dab of silicone will usually do the trick.
You can get a 2-oz tube with NSN
6850-00-177-5094. Or get the 8-oz tube
with NSN 6850-00-880-7616.
Clean the mating surfaces inside and
out before applying the lube.
Keep Bowl Dry
Water collects in ceramic bowls dur-
ing warm weather. Come a cold snap
Give cords
and cables
special
attention
Put a
dab of silicone
on threads
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