I have 2 full-size 80m verticals using tubing from Texas Towers. The
current versions have been up for 1.5 years with no problems. But, they are
the third version. The first 2 attempts didn't go so well!
As they are now, they start at 2.125" and telescope to 1.25". They are 6'
sections with several of the first 3 sizes doubled up. They are guyed at 5
levels (every 12') with Phyllistran to posts 43' out, guys attached to the
top of the posts that extend 3' out of the ground (makes mowing the yard
easier)
These verticals cannot be "walked up" as you would do with a smaller
vertical. I used a 60' bucket truck to build them 12' at a time. I found a
local sign company that charges $55/hour and it took about 1/2 hour per
vertical.
Mistakes made in the first two versions that were destroyed on windy days:
- telescoping up to too small a size that couldn't withstand the vibration
in the wind and broke off
- not having enough guy levels (without enough of them, you can't tighten
them much because tightening them will buckle the tubing without more guys
below to prevent that)
- not having the guys out far enough (tried to be cheap on the Phyllistran,
bad idea)
73,
Tom, NI1N
----- Original Message ----- > From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com on
behalf of Yo3ctk
> Sent: Fri 27/10/2006 12:40
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] 80m vertical: reality check
>
>
>
> I am trying to design an 80m lambda/4 vertical for a 4-square. My plan is
> to use 6 ft sections of AL tubing, 0.058" wall, as advertised on Texas
> Tower website:
> http://www.texastowers.com/aluminum.htm
>
> Starting with biggest O.D of 2.125", twelve (12) more 6 ft sections of
> progressively smaller O.D. will be telescoping with 1 ft overlap at each
> joint. Joints will be fastened with AL rivets. The entire vertical will
> have an (adjustable) height of 66 ft (20m) and a total weight of about 22
> pounds (10 kg).
>
> Unfortunately I have no expertise in calculating if such a structure is
> mechanically sound, hence following questions for the experts on the list:
>
> 1. Is the vertical expected to break at the lower joints in stiff winds
> (say no more than 65mi/100km/h)?
> 2. Must the vertical be guyed? Where?
> 3. Is it feasible to raise the vertical from the ground, by fixing the
> largest section to the base and telescoping sections starting with the
> smallest diameter, and riveting as we go?
>
> Thank you all for any comment.
>
> 73 de Mike, YO3CTK
> YR7M stationmaster
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