Owen Duffy wrote:
...

Although getting rare, stainless eyebolts, etc. can be had around
hardware stores catering to fishermen running fishing boats out of small
harbors. Been years now since I have went shopping for 'em though.

With aluminum rod and some thread cutting dies, a guy could craft his
own to handle light loads.

Regards,
JS

John Smith wrote in
:

Owen Duffy wrote:
...

Although getting rare, stainless eyebolts, etc. can be had around
hardware stores catering to fishermen running fishing boats out of
small harbors. Been years now since I have went shopping for 'em
though.

With aluminum rod and some thread cutting dies, a guy could craft his
own to handle light loads.


But a smarter man might either buy a better antenna or build a better
antenna, depending on his needs and capability. I bought the VB-214
having just moved and my workshop was 300km away. Today I would build
one, but that depends on an individual's capability.

One could build an antenna from the ground up more easily than repairing
this one given the difficulty in obtaining spare parts, and use a better
boom mounting that either soundly bonds the element to the boom, or
easier, reliably insulates the element from the boom.

If Joe is interested in construction, Google around for articles
describing element attachment using heat shrink tube and hot melt glue
for an insulated element that outperforms poorly bonded elements.

BTW, the gain claims for the VB-214 seem on the high side, I don't know
if they are reliable, and the same issue may apply to the 8 element
version.

Owen

Owen Duffy wrote:
John Smith wrote in
:

Owen Duffy wrote:
...
Although getting rare, stainless eyebolts, etc. can be had around
hardware stores catering to fishermen running fishing boats out of
small harbors. Been years now since I have went shopping for 'em
though.

With aluminum rod and some thread cutting dies, a guy could craft his
own to handle light loads.


But a smarter man might either buy a better antenna or build a better
antenna, depending on his needs and capability. I bought the VB-214
having just moved and my workshop was 300km away. Today I would build
one, but that depends on an individual's capability.

One could build an antenna from the ground up more easily than repairing
this one given the difficulty in obtaining spare parts, and use a better
boom mounting that either soundly bonds the element to the boom, or
easier, reliably insulates the element from the boom.

If Joe is interested in construction, Google around for articles
describing element attachment using heat shrink tube and hot melt glue
for an insulated element that outperforms poorly bonded elements.

BTW, the gain claims for the VB-214 seem on the high side, I don't know
if they are reliable, and the same issue may apply to the 8 element
version.

Owen

Most likely, truth in everything you covered there Owen. And you are
correct, I have blown much money on antennas, but never had one work
better than those I constructed myself (and this was true even if they
did not work as well! grin)

I have had good luck with antenna construction. Ones own work,
attention to detail and use of excellent materials easily defeat those
antennas made with only a profit in mind.

Warmest regards,
JS