I am prepared to consider that this is an anomaly. Have a look here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/11312549334/ and feel free to browse the three pictures of the antenna. Told the people at M squared and got nowhere. This is definitely an engineering problem. The issue with the front driven element is that it, too is cracking and it too will fail. Probably sooner than later.
On Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 2:22 PM, Edward R Cole <kl...@acsalaska.net> wrote: > I am breaking with my normal practise of not posting to the amsat-bb: > > I have a M2 436CP42 which is even larger than the 436CP30. I have had it > since about 1999 as it was used for AO-40 uplink. I wired mine in RHCP > without the optional polarity switching relay so I have no direct > experience with the relay. My antenna has performed just fine in the > 14-years it has been mounted outside so the antenna is certainly of good > construction. I made no extra protection other than good sealing of coax > lines. > > The relay in question is probably not manufactured by M2 so quality may > not be up to their usual standard? The white plastic obviously was not UV > resistant. Instead of bemoaning this just replace it with a good coaxial > relay like the CX140 from Tohtsu (or suitable substitute) which you can buy > from DEMI, RF Parts and probably many ham dealers. > > I wonder if M2 even stocks these relays anymore? No comment on their > customer service. You should have heard back from them. > > I have several M2 antennas in use: four 2mXP-20 for eme, 436CP42 AND 2m7 > for satellite, 420-450-11 for general purpose UHF, and several splitters > and other components all which perform well for over a decade in Alaska's > wx. > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > > > At 09:54 AM 12/10/2013, WA6FWF wrote: > >> Well I look my antennas over each year but they have always been >> relatively easy to get at even when they were on a glen martin tower on the >> roof, I could see every other year if it is a major undertaking but based >> on his call he is in New York, to think you can put a antenna up and ignore >> it for years in a area with snow and freezing temps stretches reason. >> >> I'm also a fan of coax seal and some sort of coating on the elements, >> When I look my antennas over I'm checking for loose bolts and UV damage to >> plastic parts and coax, out on the west coast it is the Sun and heat that >> is the thing to worry about. >> >> 73 Kevin WA6FWF >> >> >> On 12/10/2013 10:32 AM, R.T.Liddy wrote: >> >>> I'm neutral on this topic, but I was curious if the M2 Manual mentioned >>> anything about maintenance. Here are the instructions: >>> >>> http://www.m2inc.com/pdf_manuals/436CP30.pdf >>> >>> >>> There is no mention of maintenance. Of course, it would be a good idea >>> to check things out regularly. But, depending on where the antenna is >>> installed, it could be quite difficult to get to it once it's put up. I >>> can't think >>> of anyone that actually does yearly maintenance on their antennas. My >>> rule >>> of thumb is to anticipate what problems could occur and do what's >>> necessary >>> to avoid them during the initial installation. I always use Coax-Seal >>> and spray >>> the heck out of everything with clear Rustoleum. >>> >>> GL, Bob K8BL >>> >>> >>> ________________________________ >>> From: WA6FWF <wa6...@sbcglobal.net> >>> To: amsat-bb@amsat.org >>> Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:01 PM >>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: why not to buy an M2 antenna >>> >>> >>> Might I ask what sort of preventative maintenance did you perform each >>> year? >>> >>> 73 Kevin WA6FWF >>> >>> >>> On 12/10/2013 8:46 AM, Lizeth Norman wrote: >>> >>>> Purchased a M2 436CP30. Had a failure of the switching block in less >>>> than 5 >>>> years. White plastic cracked and allowed water to ingress to the >>>> switcher. >>>> Customer service?? No return call. >>>> Pics on request. >>>> Norm n3ykf >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the >>>> author. >>>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>>> program! >>>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>> program! >>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>> program! >>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > http://www.kl7uw.com > dubus...@gmail.com > "Kits made by KL7UW" > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
