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Re: [TowerTalk] antenna sling for tramming

To: K7LXC@aol.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] antenna sling for tramming
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 01:09:16 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
K7LXC@aol.com wrote:
>  
> In a message dated 5/11/2008 6:53:54 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
> towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
>
>   
>>   My techniques works OK on a relatively light antenna  like the 40-2CD, 
>>     
> but I
> found the heavier SteppIRs have a tendency to rotate  in the straps i.e., the
> boom rotates) When that's happened, I've had to  secure the straps with hose
> clamps, but I think this is a bad idea because  hose clamps have sharp edges.
> I'd like to find a better way to secure the  straps to the boom.
>
>
>     Well, the main problem is that the SteppIRs have  the elements above the 
> boom which makes them top-heavy and want to turtle or  pitch-pole upsidedown. 
> The KLM/M2 has the same problem being top-heavy. Just  about all other 
> antennas have the elements below the boom or thru the boom.  
>
> Using hoseclamps is okay. Just check your slings  after using them. I doubt 
> any damage will happen. 
>  
>     The only way to get around this is to use a  tiller of some sort. It 
> attaches to the boom and the other end slides up the  tramline. There are 
> discussions in the archives at _www.contesting.com_ 
> (http://www.contesting.com) .
I'd avoid clamping the sling to the boom or for that matter avoid 
clamping anything including a tiller to the boom.
>>  Soon I'll be tramming the heaviest antenna I've attempted: a  Cal-AV 
>>     
> 2D-40A,
> at 17 sq ft wind load and 165 lbs. Needless to say, I'll  wait for a calm
> day. But with such a large antenna. I want to make sure the  sling technique
> is as sound as possible.
>
>
>
>         The weight shouldn't be a  big problem. It's the top-heavy thing that 
> you're fighting. BTW you might want  to double-block your haul line for an 
> antenna this heavy. That'll cut the haul  weight in half.
Looping that haul line around the center element with half hitches 
whether above or below the boom should cure this tendency.    It's a 
simple fix to a problem people often try to make too complicated.  The 
weight of the antenna against the haul line has a natural tendency to 
stabilize it (prevent roll along the boom axis) and when used with the 
yoke/sling support it should be very stable.

Roger (K8RI)
>  
> Cheers,
> Steve    K7LXC
> TOWER TECH 
>
>
>
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