"Anti-PC" wrote in message
news:y86dnWuvK7DtxmXbnZ2dnUVZ_oesnZ2d@wideopenwest .com...
I have a very old Mosley TA-33 Jr antenna and one element; the smaller
tube
is stuck in the larger tube. This is the middle tube and only 3 foot long
and about 3/4 inches in diameter with about 1 inch sticking out of the
larger tube. I have tried pulling then apart with a bumper jack and vice
grips but have had no luck. The elements are not bent nor do they have any
dents. I suspects oxidation of the elements is the problem. I have also
tried using ammonia but no help. Any suggestions on pulling then apart
would
be greatly appreciated. .
Bob, AA8X

If it's oxidation, try heat. Heat gun, torch, etc. A small amount of
differential movement (the outer tube will heat up first/more) may break up
the oxidation.

An alternate mechanical means might involve finding or fashioning a
cylindrical collar (a scrap of PVC pipe, perhaps) whose inner diameter
allows it to slide over the one-inch protrusion of the smaller tube but not
over the larger tube. It must be long enough that the inner tube does NOT
protrude from it.

With the collar in place and secured with a piece of tape, turn the stuck
elements vertical, collar down, and drop them on a cement surface. When the
collar hits the cement, the outer element will surely stop, while the inner
element _may_ continue downward a bit due to its inertia. (Have you ever
held a catsup bottle and smacked the edge of your hand against the other
hand? Maybe some catsup flies out. Same principle.)

I have used variations of this method to release stuck telescoping mast
sections -- especially useful if the mast was tweaked by dropping.