This may be old hat to some, but before we put up our KLMs, we always drill
and place 1/8 inch rivets everywhere except the cap tubes. Holds it all
together for a VERY long time, and if you have to take it apart for some
reason, the rivets drill right out. Moreover, it is extremely easy to put
back together without re-measuring everything.
I've never had a KLM fall apart, and I've never had a problem with one that
couldn't be traced to human error.
73,
Jeff K2KV
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
> [mailto:owner-towertalk@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Ron Youvan
> Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 1999 9:50 PM
> To: ka4inm@qsl.net; towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Re: shorting straps on KLM KT34XA and other
> rebuild recommendations from K3MM
>
>
>
> > << I've rebuilt 3 KT34XA's so far (hopefully no more...please!), and my
> > recommendation is to use #6 or #8 sheet metal screws through
> all the clips
> > joints except for the cap tube. There, use new, thicker straps
> you can get from
> > KLM or make your own. >>
>
> Hi: I have never had my KT34A higher than about 12 feet, it was
> detuned by
> orange trees and the metal eve on the garage. (tests) It is in storage.
> 1. Every hole you drill in tubing weakens it. In a high
> vibration application
> I would rather not `drill' if I can find any better way.
> Air-e-o-planes are
> aluminum and full of holes, but they aren't mostly tubing.
> {I am not a sheet metal man, but I am not a stranger to it, I
> took `sheet metal
> shop 3 years in school, I didn't want to take it, it was all that
> wasn't full, so I
> was stuck there, I enjoyed reveting and soldering though.}
> 2. Did every one of these antennas last over a year without
> any problems?
> This antenna has NOT done that well so far.
> I plan a annual PM on the entire (now proposed ) tower, including bringing
> my beam to the ground, I wish for the clamps and bands to be
> `good for another
> year' when I do it. (It will be up 104')
> I will refresh, remove and replace all anti-Ox. when I do. I
> expect to replace the
> blue caps when they show signs of deterioration, I don't know how
> often that
> will be. (lots of UV in central Florida, and bunch of heat)
>
> I do not know what I will use to replace the old straps or of I
> will be able to
> find a better way to secure the connections using the original
> straps. The shims
> and other `fixes' that were tried to make this antenna work must
> go. I thought I
> might cut up the super sized bands (1/2" wide and 3 or 4' long)
> that I have seen
> in auto parts stores etc. for the material by cutting it into 2
> or 3 pieces of
> suitable length (10 - 14" each) with the ends bent around to
> allow the `hose
> bands' to be at the correct angle (perpendicular to the tubing)
> This `bending the
> ends,' forming the connections is what I haven't worked out yet.
> Perhaps I need to
> have a little piece (across the end) welded (spot or other) to
> the ends and put
> two hose bands, one on each on each side of the clamp.
> This group (& list) is what I need to (help me) kick around
> ideas until WE find
> an idea so good KLM starts making them our new way.
> I bought this 3 or so years old antenna for $100 (they offered
> it to me for 50 or
> 75 dollars, but I wanted to help them) from a local club that had
> `had it' with
> it. It just wouldn't keep running. Other than several blown
> BALUNS the straps
> would not stay tight. (they replaced everything several times
> hoping to cure it's
> ills. (they shot-gunned it!)
> It is the `high wind) two piece boom version. Tampa Florida area.
>
> 73 (= Best Regards) de: Ron ka4inm@qsl.net
> VISIT my HAM WEB SITE at: http://www.qsl.net/ka4inm
> using LINUX here & loving it!
>
>
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