RS Discone replacement elements

[lviper]

I have a Discone I got from RS a while back. It has been sitting in a basement for a few years.

I recently got back in to the hobby and went to pull out the discone only to find some missing and broken elements.

So my question is about replacement elements. Can I get them? RS dosen't even sell this anymore. Can I get something from the hardware store that will work?

Thanks

 

[TeRayCodA]

My Radio shack still sells the discone.You could probably order the replacement elements from them.Or,if not,you can use something like some aluminum 3/16"welding rods.Of course,you will have to match the thread size,using a die cutter,cut some threads on the stock.(I believe those are 10/32 threads)-No big deal.
Can you extract the broken threads?If not,you will have to drill them out,and purchase some screw extractors.
Good luck,it is definitely worth trying.

 

[lviper]

....Or,if not,you can use something like some aluminum 3/16"welding rods.

Could I just add the welding rods, mixing them with the originals? Or would I be better off replacing them all so they match?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[lviper]

Also, 1 more question. Some elements are bent. Is it better to try and straighten or replace?

 

[fourwd1]

You can still get the parts from RS. In fact if you have the old model w/o the loading coil and whip on top, you can order those too and improve low band reception.

You can use welding rod or anything else the right size and thread, but stainless steel (like the rest of the antenna) is going to last longer.

If it's bent straighten it, if it's not perfect it's not going to matter.

 

[TeRayCodA]

Also, 1 more question. Some elements are bent. Is it better to try and straighten or replace?

Be careful,on straightening those,they are hollow walled lightweight stainless steel tubing,like on a telescoping antenna.

Yes,you could use stainless solid rod....but,it's a devil trying to cut threads on the ends!

No,it won't matter about mixing the alum/stainless elements.

 

[lviper]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'll give the Rat Shack a shot. If I don't have any luck I will go for the welding rods.