Sirio 2016 structural mods

[Eldorado828]

Gentlemen, I'm taking a break from working on the bench and finally getting a chance to stand the 2016 but not before beefing it up.

So the antenna seems quality built but there's something they could have done better.

The corny plastic sleeve and sheet metal screws won't last a month in my part of the world..... So I've modified it with the more conventional and proven way by cutting slits as they did for the bottom section. It should make it as tough as it can get with this type of aluminum.

Anyways, just thought I'd share my progress for someone in the future who might have the same concerns.

Believe it or not, all it took is a dremmel with a thin cutting wheel.

 

[Cheech]

I drilled mine all the way through and bolted them with stainless bolts. That and put marine heat shrink over the joints.

We have had some pretty heavy winds and its still as straight as the day I put it up.

 

[Eldorado828]

I drilled mine all the way through and bolted them with stainless bolts. That and put marine heat shrink over the joints.

We have had some pretty heavy winds and its still as straight as the day I put it up.

I contemplated that way too but ended up going with the slits and clamps. I've yet to have the slit and clamp method fail so I figure it's pretty rugged. We'll see