"discona" antenna

Osiris007

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Jun 7, 2025
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Hello, how can I hold and secure the radials of a "discona" antenna so they don't come loose and fall into the street? Thank you.
 

paulears

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Locktight doesn't complete cover the threads - just a tiny dab on the final few. To be honest I have never bothered. The metal oxidises once outside, and I always have to heave with a spanner to get them undone after just a few months. Never had one on any antenna unscrew and fall out of properly done up.
 

Osiris007

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Jun 7, 2025
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Is there any threadlocker that conducts electricity so that the radials do not lose contact when applying the locking agent?
 

kc2asb

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Every antenna I've assembled and mounted with radials had nuts that could be tightened up with a small wrench/spanner, including a discone antenna from Radio Shack. I never had any radials fall off, even through heavy wind storms.

If you are concerned, you can check the antenna periodically, especially after storms, and make sure everything is tight.
 

dave3825

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Is there any threadlocker that conducts electricity so that the radials do not lose contact when applying the locking agent?

Not sure how it compares to thread lockers, but there are conductive epoxies.





 

K4EET

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Hello, how can I hold and secure the radials of a "discona" antenna so they don't come loose and fall into the street? Thank you.
Do you have a manufacturer and model number for the discone antenna? Maybe we can pull up an assembly manual to see how your antenna is made. That might give us some additional ideas on how to secure the radials.
 

paulears

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I can 100% assure you that if you tighten the radials with a spanner, the damn things won't come undone - the diamond hardware goes powdery very quickly. I took an old diamond down after 7 years and no way were those radials coming out!
 

K4EET

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DIAMOND D-130 DISCON ANTENNA (ORIGINAL JAPAN)
I have that antenna…


In addition to the nut on each horizontal rod, my “design” includes a stainless steel lock washer between the base and the nut. I also put a tiny drop of red Loctite on the nut threads. Note also that these rods MUST be installed after the sloping radials are installed.

For the sloping radials, which are to be installed first, make sure that the filed end lines up with the set screw. For the set screw, which needs to be securely tightened, I also added a drop of red Loctite.

The Loctite will not hinder the rods (elements) or radials conductivity to the overall assembly. Like others have said above, using no Loctite should work just fine due to the oxidation of the metal. I used red Loctite to insure things never loosen unless a propane torch is used to heat up the item to be disassembled.

IMG_3935.jpeg
 

wtp

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Apr 3, 2008
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Port Charlotte FL
in 1975 my electronics teacher said after screwing stuff in, use your sisters nail polish.
it might be the same firmness as the light locktight.
by the way, locktigh comes in different strength.
some you have to heat to red hot, some are like nail polish.
and if done after screwing them in you don't have to worry about the connection.

 
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Osiris007

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Jun 7, 2025
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In the DIAMOND S130 antenna, when the longer radials are inserted into their hole, the smooth part has to remain horizontal so that the screw grips it, or it has to remain vertical...
 
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