J-Pole build questions

[xtatik]

I agee with the comments regarding the properties of copper and worries of galling and such. However, these units have been built and used this way for years without these maladies. If assembled with a wrench there would certainly be issues. Light hand tightening is all that is required to electrically complete the antenna. An occasional shot of WD-40 would help maintain the integrity of the threads under such light/loose assembly.

 

[ntsqd]

Well, I've got something built. Waiting on funding for an SWR meter to tune it with, and an opportunity to test it in the field. This weekend is such an event, but I could not make it due to other needs.
Detail shot of the core of the antenna:

SO259 G-10 mount detail (Ignore the muffler-moly rust, the bumper is temporary):

G-10 Mount Isolation detail:

Coupler:

After the discussion about the thread going soft from the silver solder heat I realized that simply stabbing the upper portion of the mast into the 'T' wasn't going to work as that 'T' was also soft. Wind loads would have stretched it out in short order. Puzzling over this at the hardware store I found the coupler and though somewhat expensive I felt that it would be a better solution than pipe threads as only one set of threads would be annealed. The black on the threads is dry graphite 'paint'.

Whole antenna on woefully inadequate paint pole:

Being 3/4" copper this antenna's weight is substantial for it's "visual volume." I'll be investigating some of the other pole options. I'll also be wanting to invest a little time with a Scotch-Brite pad and then paint it.