MY M-400 star Duster Antenna Long term Journey!
Well it all started with me buying a star duster antenna.
Most say its just as good as the older one,couldn't tell the difference!
Not a bad antenna at all i was thinking.
I opened the box,looked over all the parts and said,not bad at all but this Antenna needs to be updated badly,for structure!
All self taping screws, not worth a 30 MPH wind..looks like it can get blown or shaken apart, as fast as I put it up!!
So i decided to goto my local Hardware Store and get some screws and nuts..
I ended up getting stainless steel #4 screws with nuts.
First was the top Radial..it was to be locked into the down stair
element(lower radial) using the Anti-Noise element with grub screw.
I had to slide the top radial into the bottom radial with the anti-noise element in-between this and make sure that it was from top radial to bottom 133cm(52.3622").
Not a problem this was to lock it into frequency,So they said!
Well 1 grub screw locking all this into place, was to me,a wind nightmare.
I mean it moved around just shaking the whole assembly.
Flimzy i say!
NO more stock on this, as you see the picture!
1 set screw and 1 screw and nut sealed in silicone.Now its ready for wind.
As you see now the Anti-noise element can rest easy right above that screw as soon as the silicone drys!
Now came the ground Radials.Stock 1 set screw ,1 hole to screw it into.
Time to update!
I drilled the hole all the way through and used a #4 screw and nut with silicone. all preped and ready for assembly.
All put together and waiting to dry (3 ground Radials).
Now for the frame (holds the ground radials to Prevent Wind Whistle).
Ok, so if these needed to be sturdy,why use set screws..I didn't think this would be long term for wind and weather!
So I added a #4 screw and nut.
Now came the hub..So now it has 2 grub screws to secure it to the mast,not a problem that looked ok,but the hub stock,
with 3 set screws, holding the ground radials in?
I thought within time will loosen up.
This looks a little sloppy but works great!
I drilled a hole 1cm into the hub through the set screw hole,then reamed out the inter part of the hub for a #4 bolt to fit. total 3 #4screws and nuts. bolted all ground radials to hub.
Mission Completed 80 channels of 1.2 on the SWR meter!
50 feet in the air is a m-400 Starduster Antenna, well worth its weight in gold for a long term.
I can rest now, knowing that my Antenna bought from Italy for $65 Dollars is secured sealed and going to stay up!
Well it all started with me buying a star duster antenna.
Most say its just as good as the older one,couldn't tell the difference!
Not a bad antenna at all i was thinking.
I opened the box,looked over all the parts and said,not bad at all but this Antenna needs to be updated badly,for structure!
All self taping screws, not worth a 30 MPH wind..looks like it can get blown or shaken apart, as fast as I put it up!!
So i decided to goto my local Hardware Store and get some screws and nuts..
I ended up getting stainless steel #4 screws with nuts.
First was the top Radial..it was to be locked into the down stair
element(lower radial) using the Anti-Noise element with grub screw.
I had to slide the top radial into the bottom radial with the anti-noise element in-between this and make sure that it was from top radial to bottom 133cm(52.3622").
Not a problem this was to lock it into frequency,So they said!
Well 1 grub screw locking all this into place, was to me,a wind nightmare.
I mean it moved around just shaking the whole assembly.
Flimzy i say!
NO more stock on this, as you see the picture!
1 set screw and 1 screw and nut sealed in silicone.Now its ready for wind.
As you see now the Anti-noise element can rest easy right above that screw as soon as the silicone drys!
Now came the ground Radials.Stock 1 set screw ,1 hole to screw it into.
Time to update!
I drilled the hole all the way through and used a #4 screw and nut with silicone. all preped and ready for assembly.
All put together and waiting to dry (3 ground Radials).
Now for the frame (holds the ground radials to Prevent Wind Whistle).
Ok, so if these needed to be sturdy,why use set screws..I didn't think this would be long term for wind and weather!
So I added a #4 screw and nut.
Now came the hub..So now it has 2 grub screws to secure it to the mast,not a problem that looked ok,but the hub stock,
with 3 set screws, holding the ground radials in?
I thought within time will loosen up.
This looks a little sloppy but works great!
I drilled a hole 1cm into the hub through the set screw hole,then reamed out the inter part of the hub for a #4 bolt to fit. total 3 #4screws and nuts. bolted all ground radials to hub.
Mission Completed 80 channels of 1.2 on the SWR meter!
50 feet in the air is a m-400 Starduster Antenna, well worth its weight in gold for a long term.
I can rest now, knowing that my Antenna bought from Italy for $65 Dollars is secured sealed and going to stay up!