The loosening of these bolts is only a problem if semi-regular maintenance
is not done on the rotator. They should be tightened to the correct torque
as specified in the owners's manual.
The problem is caused by the minute vibrations present in any tower/mast
combination.
In the past, others have reported two possible ways of forestalling the
problem:
(1) Use Loctite on the bolts before tightening to the correct torque
(2) Retapping the bolt holes with the next sized bolt (metric or imperial)
so as to increase the surface area of the bolt.
Interestingly in the next-sized-up T2X rotator, through bolts with locking
nuts are used instead.
The use of helicoils has been suggested before, but I believe with limited
success by all reports.
Cheers
Peter VK3QI
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