OM,
Here is the setup I used.
Had a 60' tower with the TH7DX right at the apex of the "pointy piece"
with an 1/4"
wall thickness aluminum mast up from it holding a variety of other
antennae.
To "stiffen" the setup, I ran a liner of 16ga powder coated 1.5" "TV
masting" (OD
was about 1.75, it hammered right in) at the bottom.
I welded an automotive clutch "throw out bearing" to the top of the tube
that sticks
out of the "pointy part" (you will need to grind off the galvanized
coating and do the
welding outside as the fumes will do you no good.) The dead weight of
the TH7
was supported by the throw-out bearing and as it was "pinned" to the
mast, the
weight of the other antennae were also supported by the bearing. Made
fussing
with the rotator M U C H easier!! To lube the mast, I drilled a hole in
the side of the
tube at the "pointy end" and tapped it (pipe tap) and installed a "ZERK"
fitting
(also known as a grease fitting.) Plan carefully so you have this
fitting where it
is easy to get to! I sealed the bottom of the mast with a wheel bearing
seal so the
grease would not drip. Sorry, do not have the part numbers but I did get
the parts
at NAPA. Worked fine. I lubed the mast-tube with "Lubriplate"
boat-bearing grease
as it is supposedly water-resistant. I suspect you would want to use
some synthetic
lube. I lived in Ohio at that time and never had any trouble turning the
mast, even
in the bitter cold of winter.
You may have to try several auto parts stores to find one willing to
spend the time
for you to try out various bearing seals and throw out bearings.
The throw - out bearing and the area where the weld was made and
surrounding
area was painted with aluminum Rustoleum and it held up fine for the 9
years it
was up.
Good Luck,
73
Tim K3HX
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