PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-596

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 596

JULY 2002
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-596 - Page 23 of 32
Feedcone Fix
PS 596
43
OE-254 Antenna…
Maintain
‘em to
Stand Tall
P
reventive maintenance on the OE-254 antenna is
a must to keep the antenna standing tall. Here are
a few things you should know to do PM right.
AS-3166 Feedcone Assembly
The feedcone is the heart of your antenna. Start
your “heart” PM by giving it a little shake. The
magnetic core in feedcones can break loose. If you
hear a rattle, that’s probably what has happened to
yours. Turn it in and get another feedcone.
Use the cap any time the feedcone
is not connected to the RF cable. Too
many caps dangle down and flop
around. All it takes is a few seconds
to screw the cap on the connector, but
it could save hours of maintenance.
Now turn the feedcone over and look at
the opposite side. This is a prime area for
stress cracks.
Cut about three feet of cord. Tie one
end to an upper cone antenna feed using
two half-hitches. Cinch the knot tight.
Loop the cord around an antenna feed
on the lower cone. Then loop it around a
feed on the upper cone.
Weave the cord up, down and
around until you get back to where
you started.
Pull it tight and tie it with two more
half-hitches.
Trim any extra cord and melt the
edges to prevent fraying.
Do not use wire to do this job! You
may short out the antenna and damage
its transmitter or reduce its output.
If your feedcones are
cracking, put the word
out to your unit on how
to reinforce the feed-
cone with nylon cord,
Look for
cracks
Use the
cap
Reinforce
with cords
Once it passes the shake test, give the RF con-
nector a close look. Wind whipping the RF cable
can bend the copper receptacle pin out. A splayed
receptacle won’t make good contact with the
cable pin.
If the receptacle is splayed, a pair of needle-
nose pliers will squeeze it back together.
GENTLY is the word when using the pliers. The
receptacle is easily broken.
Look inside the RF connector cap, NSN 5935-
01-184-7376. The rubber insert should be there. If
it isn’t, replace the cap.
Give it a
little shake
How’s the
connector?
Is insert
there?
You’re
not
s’posed to
use wire!
JULY 02
596. 42-43 (C)
5/24/02
11:49 AM
Page 1
Back to Top
Back to Top