Base Sirio New Vector 4000 Install

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Hey Guys,
Just got a Sirio Vector 4000 to put up for my new little shack. I want to share some pictures of the process and welcome all comments about anything. Although I have never put up an antenna on this scale before, I can see what something needs and can figure out ways to get it done. I have a Starduster on the corner of my garage that is free standing at almost 30 Ft and I learned from it. Needless to say this is not going to be an ordinary install, the goal is to get above the roof line without guy wires. Free standing. If it turns out to need guy wires then I can add them. The conventional mast pipe or fence top rail won't cut it so I am going to go a little bigger. Let me start with some pictures of the manual that is included. I will then include measurements of the antenna when I get to the assembly stage.

 

[jessejamesdallas]

Get ya a free standing tower...problem with guy wires solved...
Universal Towers has several models starting at $429 for a 30'...
http://www.texastowers.com/towers/ss.htm?tower_height=243

 

[Marconi]

Hey STM, could you give us the exposed tubing lengths as assembled. Often we get the full lengths of the pieces and this does not account for the overlap when using taper. I would also like to know the center frequency you plan to use and the tip length setting you get after tuning for L3.

It will help me evaluate my modeling for the New Vector 4K

BTW, for years I installed antennas on my roof deck, and over time it caused damage to the structure. The antennas worked well up there, but at a cost for repairs.

Thanks and good luck and be careful.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Get ya a free standing tower...problem with guy wires solved...
Universal Towers has several models starting at $429 for a 30'...
http://www.texastowers.com/towers/ss.htm?tower_height=243

Thanks for the link, those aluminum towers look really nice and a tilt over would be perfect. I am going to go a different direction with this, more to follow.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Hey STM, could you give us the exposed tubing lengths as assembled. Often we get the full lengths of the pieces and this does not account for the overlap when using taper. I would also like to know the center frequency you plan to use and the tip length setting you get after tuning for L3.

It will help me evaluate my modeling for the New Vector 4K

BTW, for years I installed antennas on my roof deck, and over time it caused damage to the structure. The antennas worked well up there, but at a cost for repairs.

Thanks and good luck and be careful.

I will be sure to post up the length as assembled. The center frequency I plan to use is ch20 on 11 meters.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Basically this is going to be a tilt over pole. I was trying to find a used utility pole and there used to be a place locally that sold them for $5 but they aren't available anymore. So the next best thing is a pressure treated 6X6 that is 16 feet long that is put in the ground 4 feet. The mast will be three sections of 2 inch galvanized water pipe with a 4 foot stub of 1.5 inch on top to attach the antenna. A hand crank boat winch and cable will tilt the mast up into position. The brackets will be at the top, middle and bottom to attach the pipe to the 6X6. They will be made out of 3 inch angle iron and 3/8 of an inch thick. The plan is not to use guy wires and if I tilt it over before any hurricane, it should be ok. This is basically between two houses with a wooded area behind the property so straight line winds will be buffered.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Now to dig a hole right about there.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

One and a half feet in diameter and four feet deep. The ground was still soft from all the rain so it wasn't too bad. The first two feet were mud, the next foot was sticky clay and the last foot was sand.



Four feet deep was about all my little post hole digger could do.

 

[543_Dallas]

The first two feet were mud, the next foot was sticky clay and the last foot was sand.

Sounds like my yard. I had to dig a 3x3x4 hole for the tower base. I started getting to the sand just as the hole was deep enough.

 

[bob85]

similar tilt-over mast idea to what i am doing but im using scaffold poles & scaffold fittings, waiting on better weather.

 

[curlyjo]

Good luck with your new install. Here is mine. Made a home made push up last out of fence pipe. Works perfect for my application.

 

[jessejamesdallas]

Mine...

 

[HomerBB]

If you plan to use galvanized pipe get the joints three descending diameters so each will fit inside the one below it. Threading them together with couplers is too weak. Trying to raise them up with a tilt over action will result in them breaking at the couplers.
If you have a steel/pipe yard near by ypu may can purchase a single 30' oil pipeline 2-3/8" tubing pretty cheap.

Link to homebrew tiltover I made:

http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/Chal_Cirilo/library/homebrew wooden tower

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Mine...

That looks real nice. Is that snow in Texas? I see your cable goes quite a ways up the tower, I will try that to help alleviate some stress on the pipe joints. Yes a beam tower is definitely on the list.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

If you plan to use galvanized pipe get the joints three descending diameters so each will fit inside the one below it. Threading them together with couplers is too weak. Trying to raise them up with a tilt over action will result in them breaking at the couplers.
If you have a steel/pipe yard near by ypu may can purchase a single 30' oil pipeline 2-3/8" tubing pretty cheap.

Link to homebrew tiltover I made:

http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/Chal_Cirilo/library/homebrew wooden tower

Good point. I was thinking about the pipe couplers, the thread on the ends of the pipe will be the weakest point. The winch cable will be attached to the middle piece of pipe about half way up so that will take some stress off of the first coupling. Maybe I can find some pipe the correct size to sleeve the joints. I am going to go outside now to do some looking and thinking.