I cannot emphasize how highly I recommend doing this! With a drill press (ideally) and some time, you can lighten the boom by 40%. Here is Mike W8LID’s article on doing this: Dropbox - LidStick.pdf - Simplify your life
My only recommended adjustment to these instructions was an idea by RJ WY7AA to use a 1/2" bit, which increases the amount of material removed but requires more precise drilling.