7698P Assembly Question

[k8eo]

I was assembeling a new 7698P and was having a real issue geting the 2 boom sections together.
I used a small hammer with a block of wood on the end of the boom to tap the two sections together.
In the process of doing this I "overshot" the holes by approx 1/4". I am having an impossible time getting the boom back apart. I have assembeled enuf anennas I should have known better.

My question is this: if I leave it alone, with a 1/4" shorter distance, will that adversely effect operation?
based upon design it loooks like UHF would not be effected much, if at all, and VHF I don't know.

Tnx...

[winegard]

Good morning k8eo -

The front half of the antenna where the 2 antenna sections meet is for UHF signals and the ¼” difference will not affect the performance of the antenna on VHF or UHF enough that it will affect the picture quality. You can re drill a new hole and bolt the 2 antenna sections together.