"Preserving" Radio Shack outdoor antennas?

[cd637299]

Hi from hurricane-prone FL.

My wife and I will be outta town all next week, and since I had Labor Day off, I decided to take that opportunity, to take down my 2 outdoor antennas, the TV & the FM.

We all know that the Radio Shack antennas are not top-of-the-line, but they have done well for me as to bang for the buck.

I tried as best as I could to collapse these 2 antennas *without* breaking the plastic doohickies that hold them in place....but alas, 'twas not meant to be. I figure I broke 3 or 4 of them, not to mention the fact that the "strain relief" tabs are R.I.P.

I have no plans to put any antennas back up until the hurricane season's over....but, since these antennas are still useful, do y'all have any suggestions about what to use, to keep the elements in place (without breaking off or losing their place), before I put 'em up again?

Rubber cement? Model (clear) glue? And where do I apply it?

Also, it looks as if maybe some elements are partially broken, although I cannot tell. Is it possible to solder the cracks?

Sure, you could say "get new antennas" & that would be fine....but one is the discontinued FM antenna.

Any ideas?

cd

[John Wilke K9RZZ]

Still got the plastic bits? Glue 'em back on. I like JB Weld (epoxy). :)

Lost the plastic bits? Hmmmm .... :confused:

[Waterfallguy59]

What about cable tie wraps ?

[Danny]

As you may know, Radio Shack and Antennacraft were sister companies until a few years ago. Until Tandy sold Antennacraft, RS antennas were made by Antennacraft.

Is the RS FM6 similar to the one that Antennacraft continues to produce?

Here is a link to the FM6 at Solid Signal:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=FM6

[cd637299]

Yes indeed it does, Danny! Thanx!

This is what I am planning then....I can buy that one for next year, take my "trip" TV antenna, which is the same model VU90XR and make THAT my home antenna, and use my currently-collapsed VU90XR for trips!

And, maybe I can bring my partially-collapsed FM antenna for trips as well. That's all my wife needs....another addition to the itinerary! ;)

BTW Danny, I guess you didn't lose electricity....I saw the Shreveport "shelter" the other day on TV.

cd

[Danny]

BTW Danny, I guess you didn't lose electricity....I saw the Shreveport "shelter" the other day on TV.


Christopher,

We are OK, and we are very thankful. (There were actually five shelters in Shreveport/Bossier.)

We hope Hanna leaves you UNharmed.

[cd637299]

Hanna looks like she will miss FL.

My wife and I are praying more about "Ike." Last I heard, it was a Cat 4, and it was a good thing that I took down those antennas...we will be outta town next week anyway (annual leave).............and, we live in a mobile home :( ......

We are insured, but if any storm decides to knock out our home, we have to seriously think about moving....for good.

cd

[cd637299]

Waterfallguy59 had the capital idea! Cable tie wraps are certainly the way to go here. I bought epoxy, but did not need it. Thanx again, Waterfall....

I have both the FM and the TV antennas up now....The FM is working peachy, but somehow on the TV antenna, a connection must be lost. Unfortunately, I have to track the cable and see where I am going wrong.

I wanna be ready for Feb.

cd

[Gary Hickerson]

Tie wraps:
If you are going to use tie wraps, outside, just be sure to use the "black" ones. They are the only ones, that are UV rated !
Gary H.
Okla.