[AMRadio] A saga & reminder

[Jim Wilhite]

Back in the mid 90s I purchased a Rohn HDBX 40 and a Mosley TA 53 beam. 
The tower came with a Hygain 400 rotor but no thrust bearing for the top 
plate.  I bought the Yaesu bearing for a 2" mast and put the tower and 
beam in the air in about 94.

I moved several times between then and now, each time but one putting 
the antenna in the air primarily because I like 10 meter AM.  Mosley 
makes a good beam and it has served well.  When I arrived here I put the 
antenna up and not too long noticed  unexpected  readings on my 
wattmeter.  The tower was in a place that getting the beam off and back 
on the ground was pretty much out of the question without a lot of work.

I moved again this last summer and found a Taco/Delphi  DMX 64.  I am 
putting up just 56 ft. of it because of wind load and want this to be my 
last time to work on anything up top for a very long time.  So I 
attached my MFJ 259B to the antenna and it led me to the driven element 
for 20/15/10.  I found that both traps in that element had suffered from 
a nearby lightning strike causing the form to separate ever so slightly. 
This resulted in a lowering of the frequency on those three bands.  I 
also inspected the traps on the 17/12 meter element and found one of 
them had the same problem.

Mosley is still in business and I caught them in a business lull and 
they sent me three new traps.  So now I am fixed, I thought.  I 
discovered the thrust bearing was harder to turn that I liked.  So I 
disassembled it and found it full of dirt and the grease was dry.  I 
don't know if you live near a O'Reilley Auto Parts or not, but right now 
they are selling a can of Moly grease for .07.  That's right, 7 cents. 
Seems as if the manufacturer has been bought out and they want to change 
the label so they are having companies sell the $3.29 can for 7 cents.

Well after washing and cleaning then relubing the traces the bearing 
turns freely.  I tell you this story because, like so many people, I 
just forgot that that bearing needed attention after 15 years of 
service.  This time my tower will be in a place where I can tilt it so 
repairs can be made.  I will be watching that bearing because it put 
additional strain on the rotor.   When you have time check every thing 
that goes up the tower and refurbish before installation.  Glad I did 
this time.

73

Jim/W5JO

P.S. Pepsi Cola hits the spot, just a nickel buts a lot.  Live it up!