[amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna

[WA6FWF]

    Well I look my antennas over each year but they have always been 
relatively easy to get at even when they were on a glen martin tower on 
the roof, I could see every other year if it is a major undertaking but 
based on his call he is in New York, to think you can put a antenna up 
and ignore it for years in a area with snow and freezing temps stretches 
reason.

    I'm also a fan of coax seal and some sort of coating on the 
elements, When I look my antennas over I'm checking for loose bolts and 
UV damage to plastic parts and coax, out on the west coast it is the Sun 
and heat that is the thing to worry about.

73 Kevin WA6FWF


On 12/10/2013 10:32 AM, R.T.Liddy wrote:
> I'm neutral on this topic, but I was curious if the M2 Manual mentioned
> anything about maintenance. Here are the instructions:
>
> http://www.m2inc.com/pdf_manuals/436CP30.pdf
>
>
> There is no mention of maintenance. Of course, it would be a good idea
> to check things out regularly. But, depending on where the antenna is
> installed, it could be quite difficult to get to it once it's put up. I can't think
> of anyone that actually does yearly maintenance on their antennas. My rule
> of thumb is to anticipate what problems could occur and do what's necessary
> to avoid them during the initial installation. I always use Coax-Seal and spray
> the heck out of everything with clear Rustoleum.
>
> GL,   Bob K8BL
>
>
> ________________________________
>   From: WA6FWF <wa6fwf at sbcglobal.net>
> To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
> Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:01 PM
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna
>   
>
> Might I ask what sort of preventative maintenance did you perform each year?
>
>      73 Kevin WA6FWF
>
>
> On 12/10/2013 8:46 AM, Lizeth Norman wrote:
>> Purchased a M2 436CP30. Had a failure of the switching block in less than 5
>> years. White plastic cracked and allowed water to ingress to the switcher.
>> Customer service?? No return call.
>> Pics on request.
>> Norm n3ykf
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