Hi all,
My MC-750 telescopic antenna section made out of stainless steel is partly difficult to pull out. I’m not sure which care product to use to make it smooth-running again. I tried using ABUS PS88 lock care spray, but to no great effect. Any ideas what to use? Vy 73, Alex - DH2ID
My first thought would be WD-40, but that might be a similar product to your lock spray. The disadvantage being that it will leave residue, depends whether that is important.
Alex,
Is this something new?
Has the whip been slightly crushed? If so you are doomed to using as is with maybe minor improvements by lubing as mentioned later.
Are all sections affected? If there has been damage it’s often only one section affected.
Is there any obvious corrosion that needs to be carefully removed. Scraping with a pocket knife is preferable to using abrasives such as Emery paper is steel wool.
Even if the surface looks clean, have you tried polishing with a cotton cloth? If there is some light corrosion this could help remove it.
For sliding surfaces with a low load a thin coating of Vaseline is helpful. Mildly water resistant, chemically neutral and non toxic. Non staining, it lubricates very well. It also allows electrical connection if there is some spring pressure.
Hopefully this gives you some things that will improve the situation.
73
Ron
VK3AFW
Thank you, WD40 is on my list, but I’m wary about residue..
Thank you, Ron. The antenna has been on 130 mountains an hills this year, has been dried if wet, and looks like new, no dents. I’ll try a thin coating of vaseline. 73, Alex
It could be very fine grit/dirt. It only needs a minute particle on one of the sliding components to cause trouble.
WD-40 contact cleaner might work too and leave less residue?
I first cleaned my telescopic antenna with rubbing alcohol and then applied sewing machine oil with a cloth. It’s been working perfectly ever since. 73 Wolf
I have a Chameleon MPAS Lite vertical, a RH-770 2m whip, and various telescopic fibreglass poles for my wire antennas. Whenever I activate in the damp or rain, once home, I wipe them dry and leave them fully extended in a warm room overnight to dry thoroughly before I pack and store them for the next activation. If I don’t, I find some adjoining sections can be difficult to extend or collapse.
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Good idea, Wolf, I’ll try that