ASSEMBLY HINTS AND TIPS
This antenna uses aluminum tubing and stainless steel fasteners. Although stainless
steel resists rust and corrosion which makes it ideal for antenna use, it is especially
prone to “galling” when being tightened or loosened. When galling occurs a nut can
become seized on the bolt requiring the bolt to be cut or drilled to be removed. Galling
most often occurs once a nut has been torqued at least once. The proper solution to
prevent galling is to coat the thread of the hardware with an “anti-seize” or “anti-galling”
compound designed to prevent galling.
If you are removing a nut that has been installed, especially if it was exposed to the
elements, even if the threads were pre-treated with an anti-seize compound, it can help
to apply a penetrating lubricant during removal of stainless steel nuts to prevent galling.
If during the removal or tightening of a nut, you feel the torque required to turn the nut
increasing rapidly, the best technique is to stop immediately, liberally apply a liquid
penetrating lubricant, work the hardware back in the opposite direction to allow the
penetrating lubricant to fully soak and lubricate the threads. If you force a stainless steel
nut on or off too far once galling begins, the nut will permanently seize.
Aluminum tubing sections telescope together in the element and boom assembly. To
prevent corrosion between the overlapping joints which increases electrical resistance
between sections and can cause the sections to seize together (preventing
disassembly), an anti-seize compound should be applied. Two suggested products are
“Penatrox A” manufactured by Burndy, or “Noalox Anti-Oxidant Compound”
manufactured by Ideal. This will ensure optimal long term electrical and mechanical
performance from your Cycle 24 antenna.
On all hardware, resist the urge to over-tighten (torque) the hardware. Especially
hardware that uses a nylon lock nut - extreme force is not required. Over-torquing will
distort mating surfaces and actually reduce the holding capability and/or strength of the
hardware. Once hardware begins seat firmly, it only takes a few more turns to properly
torque the hardware. Being consistent in applying torque across fasteners is also
important. For instance when applying torque to the two bolts that hold a single clamp on
the boom or to the mast, uneven torque between the bolts can reduce the holding power
of the clamp. When torquing bolts on a clamp, you should alternate between each bolt
applying an even amount to turns to each bolt keeping torque on each bolt as close as
possible. This keeps the clamp engaging squarely and maximizes clamping force. You
can use the exposed threads on bolts the visually gauge if two bolts have about the
same amount of torque.
