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tip over tower - wooden homebrew
- Thread starter HomerBB
- Start date
I'm still at .625
My home made Vector has not proven to be substantially better than the 5/8 at tower height. The Vector does better than the 5/8 at ten feet off the ground.
I do not think it a fair assessment of the Vector vs 5/8, however. The 5/8 is too common a model to make serious performance affecting error in design/build to hurt it as a homemade. As I've said before, if I had all the parts laying on the garage floor for a 5/8 I could have one in the air with a match in a couple hours, or at least an afternoon. The Vector is far more complex, and as I've read and reread on the threads here highlighting the antenna I've come to the conclusion I need to rework the antenna to some degree to really see its potential. This likely won't happen before next warm season.
My home made Vector has not proven to be substantially better than the 5/8 at tower height. The Vector does better than the 5/8 at ten feet off the ground.
I do not think it a fair assessment of the Vector vs 5/8, however. The 5/8 is too common a model to make serious performance affecting error in design/build to hurt it as a homemade. As I've said before, if I had all the parts laying on the garage floor for a 5/8 I could have one in the air with a match in a couple hours, or at least an afternoon. The Vector is far more complex, and as I've read and reread on the threads here highlighting the antenna I've come to the conclusion I need to rework the antenna to some degree to really see its potential. This likely won't happen before next warm season.
The www says we have an annual wind average of 14 MPH, however if they take the night time calms out of the average, I'd say it was at least 6 to 7 MPH higher. Currently, it is 16 MPH, gusting to 32. It is guyed. I have seen it under sustained winds of 35, and gusts higher - near 50 MPH. This with a 4 element Yagi, and a 5/8 vertical Omni on the top.
I love the mast if for no other reason how very quickly I can change out an antenna on it.
I originally thought I'd be able to work this mast on windy days, however, while on calm days I need no help to lower and raise it, I don't do it on a windy day if wind is in excess of 12 MPH. I once tried it while the wind was around 18 MPH. I had it over around 15 degrees. The wind stood it back erect. I quickly pinned and guyed it and waited for another day. My recommendation for this is that you put it where you normally prevailing winds are directly behind the direction the mast will tilt when operating it. Make the wind your friend. When the higher winds are calm, or behind the tilt I operate it without any alarm.
If you do one like this I recommend two bottom posts in the ground with the mast centered between them for greater strength while tilting. There is significant stress at the bottom of the mast on both the lower ground-embedded post(s), and along the mast just above the pivot point when going up and/or down. Also, 2x6's for the section right at the pivot point would be an improvement, too.
I love the mast if for no other reason how very quickly I can change out an antenna on it.
I originally thought I'd be able to work this mast on windy days, however, while on calm days I need no help to lower and raise it, I don't do it on a windy day if wind is in excess of 12 MPH. I once tried it while the wind was around 18 MPH. I had it over around 15 degrees. The wind stood it back erect. I quickly pinned and guyed it and waited for another day. My recommendation for this is that you put it where you normally prevailing winds are directly behind the direction the mast will tilt when operating it. Make the wind your friend. When the higher winds are calm, or behind the tilt I operate it without any alarm.
If you do one like this I recommend two bottom posts in the ground with the mast centered between them for greater strength while tilting. There is significant stress at the bottom of the mast on both the lower ground-embedded post(s), and along the mast just above the pivot point when going up and/or down. Also, 2x6's for the section right at the pivot point would be an improvement, too.
well I must say Great job Homer!!! And if neighbors get annoying in one diretion or the other put some weight on the short end and turn your tower into a Trebuche and throw flaming pitch at them... 
So far the neighbors are behaving. Maybe they think I'm nuts and are afraid to offend.
I was looking closer at your pics and had an idea.
Might be a pain in the arse, but looks as is if the main is cemented into the ground. and some support come out into the ground.
What if you could rotate the entire assembly like old school TV antenna?
I doubt those Antenna rotators could turn something like that with that much weight.
still an interesting thought.
Might be a pain in the arse, but looks as is if the main is cemented into the ground. and some support come out into the ground.
What if you could rotate the entire assembly like old school TV antenna?
I doubt those Antenna rotators could turn something like that with that much weight.
still an interesting thought.
I can't imagine what it would take for the user like me to do to turn the whole thing. It would be easier just to turn the antenna.
On the ground for repairs and upgrade. I plan to make the bottom section from 2x8x16' lumber, and the upper section from 2x6x16' material. I will gain 4' of wooden height, and substantial integrity for the mast. I went with 2x4 materials originally because I feared larger would stress the lifting mechanism too much. Since then the lifting setup has proven to be more than enough for the 2x4, so I will upgrade.
The tip over tower is guyed within four feet of the top.
I have been lovingly doing honey do's the last several days. :angry: Hopefully, I've cleared enough of the list that never gets shorter to be permitted to play with my toys for a day or two. If so, I'll get the tower over, reinforced, and painted. Sorry, the little woman vetoed the red and white striped scheme. So I'll have to find some paint that let's it blend into the rest of the place . . .
As for the dipole, the plan is to try a HB9CV for 11 meters right above the wood, beneath the vertical. We'll see.
Did you build the hb9cv 2 element beam?
Hmmmmm.... the picture links are unavailable ..... X'd out for me.
But still the idea sounds good. Hope it gives you some years of fun.
But still the idea sounds good. Hope it gives you some years of fun.