I might be a little late here but i just bought a new Maco V58. I have it 90% assembled and also changed out that exposed wire that attaches to the ring with an insulated wire of thicker gauge. Silicone was also applied to where the wire comes out the back of the so239 connector. I live in San Francisco by the Ocean and we get lots of fog and Moisture and The rains. I applied a good amount of Marine silicone on all the crimped parts of the ring so water does not migrate inside. Special silicone that wont corrode Aluminum. Also on the vertical radiator except on the bottom part for final adjustment and groundplanes. The antenna comes Slotted. Not De burred which I did. Easy task. I'm Planning on putting her up next week using my MFJ259B Analyzer into LMR400. Bottom section not tapered Definitely straight.
This antenna is well constructed and thick walled. I will try and post my measurements as soon as i put her up. I have been very Ill and I'm recovering. Best regards and Wishes to all from LightFoot off the Coast Of San Francisco........
Good luck Thundir. Don't forget we have a question about the new manual---whether the 248" overall length for 27 mhz is correct or a mis-print. 248" inches just does not seen to fit with the other frequencies around 27 mhz and the number use to be 240" inches, right or wrong. It's too close to the 26 mhz number and too far away from 28 mhz.
Let us know what you find out and what points you use to measure your overall. I think after this discussion that I agree the measurement is likely the very bottom of BA1P, just like it shows in the new manual with an arrow pointing to the bottom.
Some tips!!! It has been my experience with several other antennas, that when I get close to resonance and my SWR is good, 1/4 inch moves may be too much, and you might go right past your sweet spot. You just have to be careful at that point if you want to try and get the best bandwidth and match.
BTW, if you look real close at the SO239, where you've told us you caulked around the outside of the bottom, you might notice that the 239, being prone to leaking water into the coax can easily leak water in from the top. This is where the center pin goes thru the insulator. On some connectors you can actually twist the center pin inside the connector, it's that loose. You may want to consider putting some of that caulk on the top where the wire connects also. I use epoxy up there and last pretty good.
I use a product
inside of my connectors called Stuff, which I get from AES on the Internet. It is designed to shield water from getting into the connectors and it does not harden or damage the connectors or the coax.
When you start sealing your antenna it might be wise to consider that you could seal it up to well which might present a problem for water getting out as well as getting in. Personally, I've always elected to leave my tubing open, except for the top element, so if I get condensation inside the tubing---it has a way to get out as well.
Condensation can occur inside of tubing that is otherwise sealed up---which is simply due to changes in temperature and not just rain. Also, if a tube is sealed up well on the bottom side of the joint and a small hole exists in the upper side---then rain water can get inside and then not get out easily.
Just my opinion, but I wouldn't overdue caulking a vertical antenna. Only the radials and the coil, which might lay horizontally, can and will collect and hold water. I never cap my horizontal radials for this reason. I mainly worry about rain water getting in the coax thru the connectors, which are not water tight, and the V58 is very prone to this problem if the connector is not well sealed inside and out.
Another point is, I have found non stainless steel hardware that I seal up before and the seal did not keep the water out, it held the water in, all around the hardware and destroyed it in quick fashion. I like the clamps that Maco uses except the nuts and bolts will not hold up. Maybe "all" stainless steel hose clamps are better since the tubing is slotted and that would be a good investment if the antenna stays up for a long while.
Good luck and I wish you well in health too. Keep us posted.
