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Random Quote: Alcohol, the cause of and solution to all of life's problems--- Homer Simpson
Other than replacing my 17 foot high VHF and SSB Antennas which are sun baked (glass fibers exposed) is there any known way to fix....wet sand smooth or some kind of product to put on them etc etc?
__________________
OCEAN 40 SS ***FOR SALE*** ......... or trade for Downeast style boat
Wet sand smooth and spray with Krylon Fusion paint in Gloss White. Painting is not a problem as long as it doesn't contain
any metal (especially lead).
If you do replace them, cut them apart before you toss 'em. You'll be stunned at how simply they are built and you'll look at the claims about "more gain" and "all copper elements"with a bit of skepticism. The outside seems to be the pricey part, not the guts.
I would test whatever you paint on those antennas for RF transparency. Take a cup fill with water, time how long to boil in the microwave. Paint cup with targeted material - repeat. If the time isn't the same DON'T use that material.
Are they decent antennas? If they perform well, and have a good SWR, you can sand and paint them, gel-coat or resin-coat and paint. The idea someone presented about "testing them" for "rf transparency" is a complete waste of time and effort. The antenna is operating on VHF frequencies, not microwave. Performance will not be affected by enamel, epoxy, or gel-coat. Even microwave frequencies would not be affected by that.
That being said, I just replaced my VHF Shakespeare 5225XX, which had a high swr, with a new Digital 529 VW. Digital is a superior antenna, both on inside construction, and out. Worth the money they cost.
__________________ Capt Will, 2002 G/W 282 Sailfish, F225's
USCG Master, 50 Ton; Towing endorsement
Indian River, De
Wear rubber gloves when you wet sand them, or suffer later. Use 100 grit, and spray on two thin coats of paint, color optional! Check for wear at the cable grommet. Good to go. Ten minute job saves you the price of a new antenna for a coupled more years.
__________________ If it ain't broke, I haven't played with it.
If you do replace them, cut them apart before you toss 'em. You'll be stunned at how simply they are built and you'll look at the claims about "more gain" and "all copper elements"with a bit of skepticism. The outside seems to be the pricey part, not the guts.
isnt that the truth, more advertisment thinking goes into the products then parts
What kind of paint should I spray these with...worth a try to save a few $$$
Interlux topside polyurethane should do the job. I used it for a similar project quite a few years ago, and it worked well. Sanded the antennas and ant extensions, and brushed on the urethane. It looked factory, and my SWR was still perfect. The antennas continued to perform well, and it was that way when I sold that boat 6 years later.
__________________ Capt Will, 2002 G/W 282 Sailfish, F225's
USCG Master, 50 Ton; Towing endorsement
Indian River, De
VHF/SSB ANTENNAS SUN BAKED....FIX?? 
