[Antennas] Butternut HF5V-III

[Eric Lemmon]

> I want to congratulate the previous assembler of the antenna for doing the
> right thing.  The dark gray greasy substance you see is probably one of
> several "aluminum contact enhancement compounds."  Marketed primarily for
> electricians to make uniform connections with aluminum feeder cable, it is
> ideal for assembling the elements of an aluminum antenna.  It is marketed
> under such brand names as NOALOX, Adalox , and Penetrox, it a mixture of zinc
> granules and a silicone-based grease.

Not only does this "magical" substance enhance the contact between elements,
since the sharp-edged zinc granules cut through the aluminum oxide, but the
silicone base also lubricates the elements to ensure easy separation in the
future.

Please do NOT use any copper-based compound for aluminum antenna assembly; save
it for connections between copper, brass, bronze, or similar metals that do not
contain aluminum.

73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY

>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: antennas-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:antennas-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of kc7hkp at comcast.net
> Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 8:14 PM
> To: Antennas at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Antennas] Butternut HF5V-III
>
> HI Guys!  I picked up a older Butternut vertical, model HF5V-III.  It seems to
> have a gray coating at all the connections of the aluminum pipe.  I am not
> sure if this was used so that the aluminum does not stick to itself.   I have
> heard of this stuff but never used it.   I do have anti-seize and copper coat
> that I thought maybe I could coat all the ends as I put it back together...