Snapped Super Magnum Antenna

[Alexis Mercado]

Hi guys. I have a Antenna Specialist Super Magnum base antenna. It broke the insulator
( brown part , I don’t have any idea what type of material is made of ) where the enameled wire which forms the coiling go.

I would like to repair it since it is a classic antenna. See pic.

 

[Alexis Mercado]

Here is another picture

 

[groundwire]

Delrin. But by the looks of that thing just buy a new antenna. More trouble to repair than its worth.

 

[Jay Mojave]

Hello Alexis: Yes those Super Mag Antennas break there as your photos show. That was/is a common problem with those antennas. I had one and it broke in the same place. The part that broke is a insulator, and can be replaced with a solid piece of Fiberglass Rod. See Max Gain at:

https://mgs4u.com/?v=7516fd43adaa

Jay in the Great Mojave Desert.... "Next gas 150 Miles"

 

[M0GVZ]

As above. As long as it's transparent to RF anything can be used. If you want to test if it's transparent to RF pop whatever you plan to use in the microwave. If it gets hot it isn't.

 

[Alexis Mercado]

I thinks this part is made of phenolic. It’s has a inside diameter of 1/2” , an outside diameter of 7/8” and a wall thickness of 3/16.

I’ve read that phenolic is a high isolating material. Not sure if it’s stronger than fiberglass.

 

[2NC995]

I’ve read that phenolic is a high isolating material. Not sure if it’s stronger than fiberglass.

Well, neither. Fiberglass is usually just the reinforcing material in a type plastic, often epoxy or polyester resin. Phenolic is another type of resin.

Most things we think of as being made of "fiberglass", aren't made of fiberglass but fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

 

[Dmans]

Perhaps a 7/8" O.D. Teflon rod would make a strong repair?

https://www.eplastics.com/PTFE-NATROD875

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=131570&catid=

73
David

 

[Alexis Mercado]

I thinks this part is made of phenolic. It’s has a inside diameter of 1/2” , an outside diameter of 7/8” and a wall thickness of 3/16.

I’ve read that phenolic is a high isolating material. Not sure if it’s stronger than fiberglass.

 

[mrgumby]

What about about a piece of carbon fiber tubing ?just a thought

 

[Alexis Mercado]

Maybe carbon fiber will work. Nice tip. I’ll check that out.

 

[Alexis Mercado]

What about about a piece of carbon fiber tubing ?just a thought

I don’t know where I learned carbon is a conductor, I did a google search and found that , in fact, carbon fiber tubing has conductivity, therefore, it can’t be used for this type of repair.

 

[bob85]

carbon & graphite tubes are no good as rf insulators,

teflon/ptfe is very good but far too weak & soft,

delrin / acetal is ok but not very strong

fiberglass/grp comes in several flavours, unidirectional acrylics & polyester been the weakest & cheapest, spiral wound epoxy fiberglass been more expensive & stronger,

phenolics & epoxy laminates come in may flavoures, usually paper or cloth or woven glass laminates in various resins,
some have very good mechanical & insulation properties,

they use tufnol laminate as spreaders for overhead high voltage power lines

 

[HomerBB]

Go to Walmart.
Go to the party supplies dept.
Find the fondant rolling pin.
Use it.



There are two sizes.
Small ~$9
Large ~$20

 

[bob85]

Homer are you like me always on the lookout for stuff to repurpose,
rolling pin is up there with my fork handle .