I keep wondering why so many antennas just have a single mounting bolt to attach them to the mast tube they slide into. Yesterday I had my Diamond X-50A which was only 6 months old, wiggling in the wind when the single bolt stripped and was loose. The threads were completely striped from the bolt and antenna housing. I did have the lock nut on and I even had to keep tightening it in the past 6 months since it kept coming loose.
I haven't heard back from Diamond yet about my problem since I emailed them yesterday. I had a MFJ 1522 antenna installed in the same spot for 2 years and never had this problem. I had another X-50A on order actually, unrelated to this problem and it arrived today. I was surprised to see that it had 2 bolts instead of one now. (photo attached)
I still notice the antenna is very loose in the mast tube it slides into. If it had a more snug fit maybe that would help to keep it from moving in the wind so much. I don't know if 2 bolts will help but I can say I won't be buying a Diamond antenna again.
I bought a Diamond D130J Discone antenna in the past and it was so terrible. The tiny set screws that held the head to the mast striped also. The Comet DS150S Discone I have now is made so much better with a solid bolt to hold the head to the mast tube, and all the rods are threaded into the head, unlike the Diamond which were friction fit with set screws.
People keep telling me Diamond is great, but after my first purchases of two different antennas from them, I can't say the same. To me, how things mount or go together is just as important as the antenna TX/RX performance. If it falls apart up on the mast, it isn't much good is it?
I haven't heard back from Diamond yet about my problem since I emailed them yesterday. I had a MFJ 1522 antenna installed in the same spot for 2 years and never had this problem. I had another X-50A on order actually, unrelated to this problem and it arrived today. I was surprised to see that it had 2 bolts instead of one now. (photo attached)
I still notice the antenna is very loose in the mast tube it slides into. If it had a more snug fit maybe that would help to keep it from moving in the wind so much. I don't know if 2 bolts will help but I can say I won't be buying a Diamond antenna again.
I bought a Diamond D130J Discone antenna in the past and it was so terrible. The tiny set screws that held the head to the mast striped also. The Comet DS150S Discone I have now is made so much better with a solid bolt to hold the head to the mast tube, and all the rods are threaded into the head, unlike the Diamond which were friction fit with set screws.
People keep telling me Diamond is great, but after my first purchases of two different antennas from them, I can't say the same. To me, how things mount or go together is just as important as the antenna TX/RX performance. If it falls apart up on the mast, it isn't much good is it?
