Transworld Portable Antenna - Weather Protection?

[VE3OP]

I am interested to hear from some of you that own or otherwise have had experience with the Transworld antennae (I have the 2010L). How do you protect the matching centers from rain and snow and bugs? I looked all throughout the Transworld website and through the eHam reviews, but could not find any info on this. Yet I have seen numerous pictures of owner just leaving them out in the elements.
That gives me the willies.....javascript:void(0);

Any direct experience suggestions greatly appreciated.

BTW - what a great antenna - nothing but good to say about them.


Thanks.

Craig, VE3OP
VE3OP@RAC.CA

[WA8JNM]

Craig,

I have been wondering the same thing. The Transworld is permanently installed in my backyard, too. I hope we get a couple responses.

Dave

[N4KC]

I asked this question last year on the Transworld Yahoo reflector and was assured by another user that it could stay outside just fine.  Still, seems to me--and especially if you have the model with the remote band-change capability (I don't)--you would want to do some waterproofing on the matching unit.

I don't use mine regularly, just when I'm at the beach.  I was concerned about the sprinklers at the condo that come on every night and the sudden thurderstorms that blow up down there.  Considering my investment in the antenna, I took it apart each evening, put all the parts in the shrubbery, and took the middle part--with the matching unit--upstairs with me.  It only takes a couple of minutes to put it back together.

I know that is not an option if you use the antenna at home every day.  Maybe someone will stop by with the definitive answer...

73,

Don N4KC
www.n4kc.com
www.donkeith.com

(PS: I still can't believe I paid this much for a portable antenna, but the darn thing works very, very well.)
 

[G0GQK]

Out of curiosity I've just Googled to see what this antenna is like, its the one like an H on its side with the coil in the middle which I assume is causing the worry.

If I had one I would make a cover for it from a plastic washing up liquid bottle, and place it over the top with adhesive tape to let rain run over the top. If this is not possible slice the plastic bottle down one side and clip it on that way. job done !

Mel G0GQK

[N6DMR]

Hi All,

I have had my TWA-2010 for about 5 years.  I had it set up as a permanent antenna for over a year.  I used a small amount of Clear RTV Silicone to seal the case edges and around the connectors where they entered the case.  On the control cable and RF connections, I used standard soft connector sealing tape with an electrical tape overwrap.  Never had any issues.

However, I am seeing some significant wear at the joints of the fold up mounting legs.  You need to handle these areas with care when deploying and folding the antenna.

Great DX antenna! 

Anyone have any experience with the 40M and 80M versions?

Duane
K3AL

[AC4RD]

I had never heard of this antenna, so I took a quick look on the web.  I like 30m, so that one caught my eye.  The description on the website puzzles me, though:

  The TW3030 Adventurer array box covers the entire 30 meter band at full bandwidth without the necessity of either manual band changing or the need for a controller!

Just attach a feedline and you are ready to talk.

Does that mean if you buy this antenna you can use phone on 30 meters? 

[K9YNF]

I own the TW2010L Backpacker with manual bandswitching. I only use it on my week-long IOTA DXpeditions right on the high tide line of the ocean. I use the best 3M black electrical tape sold (forgot the item number), keep the center coil section taped completely up for 20 meter use only, and it has kept out the salt air, fog, wind and rain in both Alaska and Maine. This low-angle antenna ROCKS over saltwater and is worth every penny.

Wayne, K9YNF
IOTA Honour Roll

[N6DMR]

AC4RD -

Ken,

Theorectically, the 30M version will tune the entire band without any adjustments.  That said, you can also manually tweak the loading coils to find a sweet spot on the frequencies you are most interested in.  Ditto with the multiband version.

Duane
K3AL