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Re: [TowerTalk] Aluminum Boom Lubricant: Yes or Nope?

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Aluminum Boom Lubricant: Yes or Nope?
From: Michael Tope <W4EF@dellroy.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:51:13 -0700
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Over 25 years ago, I was helping to re-assemble a KLM 4 element 40 meter yagi. I think I started out using Noalox between sections of tubing, but then I decided that silicon high vacuum grease might be better after I read that W8JI and N7CL were using it on coax connectors. We took that antenna down after an element center insulator failed and never re-installed it, but the element halves are still in a storage pile. I should go pull those apart to see how the two methods compare after all these years. Granted this is in Southern California well away from the ocean, so it's a pretty benign environment.

I am curious if anyone else has tried silicone high-vacuum grease for this purpose?

73, Mike W4EF.............

On 8/16/2025 7:34 AM, Steve Harrison wrote:
What is the collective Wisdom concerning the use of an aluminum-to-aluminum lubricant (such as Penetrox) between boom pieces, one of which is swaged? I am reassembling several older monobanders but using OWA dimensions here in the desert (no salt water corrosion). We have nearly-continuous mild-to-heavy winds, 10 - 15 to 45 - 60 mph, nearly year round, so the boom pieces must be solidly bolted together; yet, I'd like the option of being able to take them apart again at some time in the future.

TNX,

Steve K0XP


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