PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-636

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 636

NOVEMBER 2005
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-636 - Page 22 of 33
I
n little more than seven
minutes, two soldiers can have the AB-1386/U, quick erect
antenna mast (QEAM), NSN 5985-01-381-6341, up and doing its job. But all the
minutes in a day won’t be enough if preventive maintenance has not been done on
the mast.
Here are some supply, safety and preventive maintenance tips that will keep you
and the QEAM in the best of shape.
Safety
The number one cause of damage to the QEAM comes when a vehicle moves out
with the mast raised. A raised mast, even just one section, can and will come tum-
bling down if the vehicle is on the move. And sometimes it comes tumbling down on
the head of another soldier!
Make absolutely sure before a vehicle
moves out–even just a short way–that the mast
is completely collapsed and correctly stowed.
Whether raising or lowering the mast, to
keep knots off your noggin, wear a helmet. To
keep your eyes keen, wear goggles. And to
keep your hands cut free, wear gloves.
It’s easy with this antenna to forget wearing
safety equipment because it is easily erected.
But don’t be fooled; easier does not mean
safer!
Attaching and removing the antenna elements from the antenna mast is done with
the help of the tripod antenna. That tripod lets the mast nest in an inclined position
and allows for the removal of the quick-release pin. Sometimes that pin sticks and
pressure must be released to free it or it will break! To release the pressure and free
the pin, extend the top section of the mast.
As a final safety note, when you’re using the AS-3166 antenna
element to top off your mast, make sure you use safety tip caps.
An unprotected tip can blind or kill a soldier.
The level indicator on the gearbox
often needs replacing. Get a new one
The antenna to antenna base adapter
comes by ordering NSN 5985-01-423-
8576. You might also need the support
sleeve, NSN 5985-01-072-4342.
If you break a quick-release pin,
replace it with NSN 5315-00-628-
3806 and lanyard, NSN 4010-01-421-
0428.
Breaking a quick release pin might
lead to a damaged tripod antenna. If
so, order a new one with NSN 5985-
01-424-7413.
The QEAM uses the same antenna
elements and the same RF cable as the
OE-254 antenna.
PS 636
NOV 05
40
AB-1386/U…
All About the QEAM
Parts
…and a new gearbox…
…and a support
sleeve…
A special mount is needed
for tracked vehicles
You can get a new
winch…
…or a new
hand crank…
…and a quick-release
pin and lanyard
…and a new level…
wear a
helmet,
goggles and
gloves.
The QEAM can
be mounted
directly on
the ground…
…or on a HMMWV or on two kinds
of tracked vehicles–the M113A2/A3
personnel carrier and the M5
77
A2/A3
command post carrier.
To mount the QEAM on a
HMMWV, you’ll need mount, MT-
6967/G, NSN 5975-01-390- 5770.
To mount the QEAM on a tracked
vehicle, you’ll need mount, MT-
6968/G, NSN 5975-01-390-9612.
The hand crank that drives the
drive screw is easily mislaid and
lost. Order a new one with NSN
If the winch is needed, use NSN
5985-01-254-9557, to get a new
one.
The gearbox that ensures the
quick erecting is quick has several
areas of maintenance. If the mainte-
nance is not done, you’ll need a new
gearbox, NSN 3010-01-421-6827.
636.40-41(C).qxd
9/30/05
9:39 AM
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