tk5ep Patrick Egloff wrote:

Thanks for your suggestion.
I'm surprised to receive so few answers to a problem that seemed very
trivial to me...
You can get dozens of answers for a patent problem but only one to a
daily problem that every ham has encountered at least once in his life



Well, its pretty hard to improve on John's method. 8^)

In the interest of furthering the conversation, it might turn to what to
do about that corrosion and general poor looks of the aluminum at present

Some folks advise using steel wool to remove the surface tarnish, others
caution that particles of steel will embed themselves in the tubing and
cause rust.

There is brass wool that would negate that, as well as Stainless or
copper wool.

If you really wanted to pretty the thing up, you could chuck the
elements in a drill and use aluminum polish.

One thing that I might try the next time I have to do this is to use
some motorcycle wheel cleaner on the tubing. It works a trick on my
bike's wheels. You spray it on, then brush it around, then rinse it off.
Wear gloves and don't let it sit too long, as it's a bit caustic.

Then the really big thing is upon re-assembly, you'll really want to use
some oxide prevention creme on every joint. I've bought some at the
local Hardware store, it's inexpensive and a tube will last a lifetime.
Sounds like the original assembly didn't use that.

-73 de Mike N3LI -