SIRIO Tornado 27 Info

[Recon]

Has anyone had SWR problems with the Sirio Tornado 27 after several months of being installed?
Within the past six months, two local CBers in my area had a sudden increase in the SWR on their antennas. During a thorough inspection after disassembling the antennas, the manufacturer installed retaining (set) screw which secures the coil to the aluminum stand-off fixture had vibrated loose and the coil had separated from the stand-off fixture.
My personal (mechanical background) opinion is, installing a steel screw into aluminum is not a good method. If the steel screw is installed with excessive force, the threads inside the aluminum stand-off fixture will be partially stripped-out and the screw can eventually vibrate and fall out.
I'm not certain, but I would think applying a Loctite type compound to the threads could / would compromise the continuity of the metal-to-metal contact. A Knurled Cup Pointed Screw would be better than the standard flat / blunt end screw.
Fortunately, one of the guys had purchased the two-year service maintenance plan for his Sirio antenna. He contacted the dealer / seller and, what do you know, two days ago, the dealer / seller sent a replacement Piece #9 bottom section assembly with the coil. The problem is, prior to opening the clear plastic bag, he noticed the coil was not inserted into the stand-off fixture and there was no set-screw in the bag. Back to square one!
Is it a coincidence that the dealer / seller has an inventory of replacement bottom section assembles?

 

[undertaker]

I have had mine up about 2 years no problems 1.3 swr never changes

 

[undertaker]

I also have another one new in the box I like this antenna so well

 

[Recon]

I have had mine up about 2 years no problems 1.3 swr never changes

That's great!
The intent of my post was to pass on "food for thought". If the SWR suddenly increases, the first items to inspect would be the fasteners. The original flat bottom set-screw is being utilized as "pinch" screw by applying pressure on the coil and not as a retainer screw.

 

[Recon]

I have had mine up about 2 years no problems 1.3 swr never changes

Take a close look at the 3 indentations made by the set screw. This how the NEW replacement was received. It appears there was too much tension on the coil and they made three attempts to secure the end of the coil.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I also have another one new in the box I like this antenna so well

So does this mean you have a closet full of antennas to go with the closet full of radios? If so, then I have some catching up to do.....

 

[undertaker]

Well let’s just say I have several

 

[Jay Mojave]

Is it possible to bend the coil to relieve some of the tension? Not ever seeing one of these antennas Iam sure there is some "Bitchin" way to connect and hold that connection, maybe with a addition of U bracket of something else.

Perhaps flatening the end of the coil and slipping the next larger size aluminum tubing over the end of the coil. Good luck. Please let us antenna fans know the fix.

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert

 

[Recon]

Is it possible to bend the coil to relieve some of the tension? Not ever seeing one of these antennas Iam sure there is some "Bitchin" way to connect and hold that connection, maybe with a addition of U bracket of something else.

Perhaps flatening the end of the coil and slipping the next larger size aluminum tubing over the end of the coil. Good luck. Please let us antenna fans know the fix.

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert

Forget the set-screw. Why not drill a hole through the coil and install a bolt / screw through the stand-off fixture?

 

[49SR03]

Good morning ,thanks for the information i have this antena since 2 years ago , and in my opinion it,s a very bad antena i prefer gp 27 , now i have about 5 of SWR again so , i must check one more time may be it,s the fifth time that go down problems with wind, problems with the coil ,screws so..... no more