I have used an old 1930s Windcharger tower for a TH3MKII before. Worked
real well and had no trouble. But, installation is an important concern.
Using 2x 4 cedar, I mounded the Windcharger tower to the cedar using bolts
and washers. The bolt heads were recessed in the wood about 1/4 inch. A
lot of people I've seen have used lag screws, but they make me nervous.
I then use eight lenghts of all thread up through the roof to bolt down the
cedar. Four to a side. The all thread was long enough to go past the
rafters where I used a 4x4 as a hugh washer across four to six rafters (I
forgetten how many) Then, I took two heavy cables per side and tied them to
the stringers that made up the ceiling. Each cable had a turnbuckle which I
tightened snug.
I had welded on special ears on the Wichcharger tower (it was 20 foot high)
and used steel guys to the four corners of the house for guying. Again, I
used long eye bolts going through the roof and a 2x4 as a washer across
several rafters.
I used black caulk to caulk all the joints and never had a leak.
Stayed up for 10 years...then I took it down. Caulked the holes and left
the house. Dad has since reroofed and sealed the holes up right. He once
said I had so many antennas in the air that a bird would get "Clothes-lined"
if he flew through the yard. But, I was off the streets and back in my
bedroom trying to work DX. I was 17 at the time.
Lee
k0wa@southwind.net
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