[Moon] 432 antenna repaired, thank you for all of the help

[Cristofori Concerts]

Thanks again to everyone who answered my request for help re frozen
allen-head screws in my M2 432-9WL.  What a wealth of information I
received. 

The antenna is now fixed.  Weighing the risks of working a blow-torch
on top of a ladder against simply cutting off the frozen shorting bar
(also the other bar's allen screws were rather chewed out,) for the
princely sum of $19.53 including shipping, I received two new shorting
bars from M2, new allen screws and even two new allen wrenches.

The information about antenna deterioration was fascinating.  After the
shorting bar repair I replaced the two lower aluminum pieces (the ones
with crimped-on copper ends,) with heavy copper wire-immediately
beacons were noticeably stronger even though SWR didn't seem to change.
 Evidently there was corrosion between the aluminum element and the
copper end!

The mobile station is now QRV again on both 144 and 432 EME.  144: 300
w, 16 element (modified 13B2,) ARR preamp; 432: 100w, (soon to be
doubled when I finish  combiners for second amplifier,) ARR preamp, and
28 element M2 432-9WL.  Amplifiers run on separate deep-cycle marine
battery.

All is mounted on the car, ready for CW EME attempts with the largest
stations.  Thanks for all who would like to try on my moonrise/set from
FM18dp.  In the future, I hope to have some portable ramps so I can
elevate the car somewhat.

Thanks again!

73,

Martin, KC3RE
FM18dp

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