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Re: [TowerTalk] Trap Drain Holes

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Trap Drain Holes
From: Crownhaven <crownhaven@bellsouth.net>
Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:04:11 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I had an A3W up which went south on me in terms of SWR. Tested everything to no avail. The problem occurred after a significant period of wind and rain. Finally got the antenna down and every one of the traps, drain holes facing down, was jammed with wasp carcasses, larvae, etc. Apparently this had been going on for a long time but the unusual storm somehow allowed water to get in the traps where it was "trapped" by all the stuff in there. When dry, I imagine the debris didn't affect the performance but once it got wet, that was it. I imagine if I had waited a little longer, it all would have dried out and things would have gotten back to normal. It is hard to describe how much insect matter was in those traps.

Steve, N4JQQ

PS, I have a Force 12 now.  :)))))))


On 4/9/2013 4:55 AM, Brian Alsop wrote:
I lost one trap due to exactly this. Wood wasp got into the trap and built his mud and saliva nest.

I've taken a bit different route. I use fine mesh plastic window screen. The reasoning of course is that it's designed to keep out insects. I simply place a strip of it over the holes. Several strips of Scotch 33 tape is used (wrapped around the circumference of the trap) to secure it. Of course one doesn't tape up the holes!

A balun I recently purchased recommended drilling 1/16" weep holes where the water would accumulate with the balun in place. Apparently this diameter is small enough to keep out the bigger insects which cause trouble. Supposedly it it large enough to still allow water to escape.

73 de Brian/K3KO


On 4/9/2013 03:17, Dan Hearn wrote:
The ideal antenna drain hole would have a reasonably large diameter but
would not allow insects to enter and build nests. I believe there is a way
to accomplish this.
There is a material used in sanding pads which is springy and would allow
water to pass but not insects or debris. It is somewhat similar to steel
wool physically but is not electrically conductive as far as I can tell. I
have been using strips of it to wrap around wires into and out of metal
cabinets at the base of my towers to discourage Wasps from entering. It is quite springy and I have noticed no deterioration over 5 or more years here
due to sun and weather conditions .
If you have a coil in a PVC cover I would drill a hole possibly 1/2 inch
or so in diameter , cement a short piece of PVC tubing into it at the
bottom maybe an inch or so long and insert some of the springy sanding pad
material into it.
None of my antennas have traps so I have not tried this. I plan to get some of the stuff and check if it affects the inductance of a coil out of
curiosity
There are probably readers out there who know more about this material
than I do and I invite comments on this idea..
Dan, N5AR




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