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Re: [TowerTalk] When a Yagi Loses an Element

To: "Gene Smar" <ersmar@comcast.net>, <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] When a Yagi Loses an Element
From: <kk9a@arrl.net>
Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 02:02:10 -0000
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Is there a man-bucket that will reach 200'?   In this area large cranes are
a huge expense, perhaps they're less in Florida.   The last time I used a 60
ton 180ft crane (which isn't big enough for Bill's tower) I had to rent it
for eight hours minimum.  I had to pay a special road fee for the overweight
crane to drive here.   The jib came on a separate truck and had to be
assembled on site.  I'm not even sure how the crane will help the severe out
of balance problem.   If I were going to go through that expense I would
first build a stronger antenna and switch them.

John KK9A


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Smar" <ersmar@comcast.net>
To: <kk9a@arrl.net>; <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Cc: <Cqtestk4xs@aol.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 17:26
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] When a Yagi Loses an Element


Bill:

     You're gonna have to rent a crane, it looks like.  Instead, rent a
man-bucket.  Then you and the element ride the thing up to the boom.  Then
you come back down alone.  Capish?

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F

----- Original Message -----
From: <kk9a@arrl.net>
To: <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Cc: <Cqtestk4xs@aol.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 1:04 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] When a Yagi Loses an Element


> It may be easier to repair it on the tower, assuming that you really like
> the antenna.  It's hard to say without seeing your situation, but perhaps
> you can attach a hand winch as far out on the boom as you can reach toward
> the reflector side and to a point on the tower maybe 20' below.  Then
attach
> a cable or rope from your mounting plate to the top of the mast.  You
should
> be then able to remove the mounting u-bolts and using the hand winch pull
> the reflector toward end toward the tower making the boom vertical.  You
can
> then reattach the reflector, winch the antenna back to horizontal and
> reattach it to the tower.  I've used this method to repair my 40m full
size
> antenna and to make adjustments to my 60' boom 20m antennas, however
nothing
> was out of balance.
>
> GL and be careful,
> John KK9A
>
>
> From: Cqtestk4xs@aol.com
> Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 19:38:15 EST
>
> Ah, the residual damages from the hurricanes continue to mount.  The
latest
> casualty is is real problem.  The 4 el 40 meter KLM lost it's reflector in
a
> severe windstorm form a squall line that came through last night.  The two
> clamps that held it in place broke, which could explain why it was
beginning
> to
> look a little off kilter the last few weeks.
>
> Fixing it will be a problem.  The reflector did no sustain any
> non-repairable
> damage from its fall from 200 feet.  However, getting the element back in
> place is a challenge.  The antenna is now very nose heavy and once the
> U-bolts
> are loosened, the front end will make a nose dive straight down into the
> guys
> wires.  I had this problem with the 5 el 20 meter KLM at 200 ft last fall
> after
> it lost its reflector and damn near lost the antenna.  There is no way to
> reach the end of the boom to attach any counterweight to it to balance it.
>
> I am not even up to figuring out how to get the element back out on the
end
> of the boom yet.  The antenna is mounted in a traditional fashion on a
> flat-top
> Rohn 55 with no other antennas below it.
>
> Ideas, other than getting a crane or other budget busting ideas?
>
> Bill K4XS
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk




_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather 
Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions 
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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