Vertical antenna missing piece.

Hi all. Just a quick enquiry. I have a Venom Silver rod that following our house move I have gone to erect the last few days, unfortunately I have discovered that the very end section has disappeared, I can only assume it slipped from the bundle during the move. Living in Ireland it is very expensive to get anything sent here so I was wondering if anyone on here could give me a suggestion on how I can get round this issue. Thanks in advance.

73s

Michael

No answers so obviously no-one else has ever had this issue.

To me, there is only one solution, it looks as if you will have to bite the bullet and order another section.  Probably not what you wanted to hear, possibly a little harsh too, it could be an opportunity to upgrade to something a little more Gucci as buying a top section would probably cost nearly as much as a new antenna.

Hi Michael,

It might be worth checking inside the aluminium tubes you still have to make sure the smaller one hasn't slid down into one of them. (I had a friend who did this fuming that his wife had somehow 'lost' a section of his antenna when moving it from the garage and sure enough the 'lost' section was inside one of the others!! )

As you mention ordering a spare might involve a bit of cost and in the long run it may be not much more expensive to buy a replacement/upgraded antenna. (Bite in the backside I know but often the case.)


Unless you can get hold of another aluminium tube of the right diameter locally and cut it to the right length that may be your best option.

You could always try a 'bodge' repair but it might be doomed to failure, steel pipe being dissimilar metal (think corrosion) let alone heavier (on top of the other aluminium ones) and wires or aluminium tape covered wooden dowels let alone similar 'ingenious' solutions won't hold up to much outdoors.

All a P.I.T.A. lesson but these things happen.

(If I had a big pile of things I've "lost" over the years I'm sure I could fill a football stadium! )

I hope you get sorted.


All the best,
Victor

Don't know what stores you have in Ireland, but you will probably find a suitable piece in a large DIY store like a Wickes, or a cheap tradesman parts supplier like a Toolstation or a Screwfix. Luckily the top section doesn't need any cuts to be made for the join unlike the other sections, you will only need to weather proof the top of which I am sure you can use some ingenuity.. bath seal, gaffer tape etc. Sometimes the tubes from there for home use are anodized, so you might need to do some abrasive rubbing where it connects to another tube. 

Do like Victor's thought of checking inside the other tubes though for the lost one. Fingers cross for you that it's in there.

I'm guessing the sections are around 3 foot long since they are about 18' and in 6 sections ?
Maybe a piece of an old tv antenna. Is there a TV aerial bloke nearby?

Ps, I meant to send this earlier whilst in work but forgot

just a quick update, had a good look round and alternatives, yesterday I nipped over the border to B&Q and they had the correct diameter and wall thickness piece 1 metre long and only £6. fitted it today and perfect, problem solved. Thanks for all the advice guys. Be happy.

73s