[BC] Wind and STL Mutes

[Chuck Lakaytis]

Yesterday we installed a pair of Paraflectors.  The "rungs" are now 
secured in the perimeter tubing with stainless steel screws.  When I 
talked with Scala about that they said that one of the reasons for the 
design change was the increasing use of QAM modulation. 

The only problem I saw with the design was that since the rungs now go 
all the way through the perimeter tubing moisture can enter the tubing, 
and perhaps freeze and crack the rungs.  I asked Scala tech support 
about that as we wanted to seal the top ends of the tubing.  He said 
that was ok but to be sure that the sealant was NOT the usual silicone 
sealant.  It seems that most of those sealants for windows, tubs, etc. 
contain acetic acid to keep mildew at bay.  That acid will attack the 
anodizing and aluminum.  So we got some butyl rubber sealant and used that.

Thomas G. Osenkowsky wrote:
> I made a notation from a previous list member's post
> about a Scala Miniflector MF-960 circa 1990 that
> would experience high BER on windy days. The
> Miniflector was near an FM antenna. The problem was
> that the rungs in the reflector section were loose in the
> mounts and rattling around. Spectrum analyzer showed
> no interference. Tie wrapping the rungs tightly in place
> solved the problem. I don't recall who posted this
> originally. Another person had a ground kit braid that
> looked OK but had intermittent continuity. Replacing
> that with a heavy duty length of stranded wire solved
> that one.
>
> Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE
>
>
>   

-- 
Chuck Lakaytis
Director of Engineering
Alaska Public Broadcasting, Inc.
135 Cordova Street
Anchorage, Ak 99501