PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-624

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 624

NOVEMBER 2004
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-624 - Page 23 of 33
PS 624
NOV 04
43
Antennas…
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
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.
If you’re in an extreme cold and frozen situation,
mountain pitons are excellent anchors for guy ropes.
There are a variety of types under FSC 8465 and
supplied by GSA.
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 you
use less, your antenna may end up on the cold, hard
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 an 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
during warm weather. When a cold
snap hits, water can turn into ice.
That can crack the glass. Also, the
freezing temperatures make the glass
more brittle. So handle it carefully.
Once you’ve wiped the bowl clean
and dry, reach for your tube of sili-
cone again. Seal the insulator before
you join the two halves.
Cable Care
Your RF cables need special han-
dling during cold weather, too.
Insulation becomes brittle and can
break. That can damage delicate
wiring inside and also let moisture in.
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 tempera-
tures, so use cold-weather tape, NSN
your mast-
type antennas
need
special
PM when
old man
winter blows
blustery
into camp.
it’s
old man
winter!
don’t
worry…
don’t
touch me! I’m
brittle!
suh-suh-so
k-k-cold…
…we
already
did our
antenna
PM.
he’s coming on
so powerful, he’s
gonna knock our
antennas down!
{oof!}
I give
up!
624.42-43(C!)
9/20/04
4:09 PM
Page 1
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