Dan-
I think it's pretty clear that a beam is wind-load balanced pointing
into or away from the wind, and when it is rotated 90 degrees the boom
is wind-load unbalanced.
The wind, however, doesn't seem to come from a single direction but
rather to move around some. I believe that is why pointing the beam
away from the wind gives better results that heading it into the wind.
I have a KT34XA which has a 32' boom which is 3" in diameter - and the
front has more boom (as well as more element area).
73-
Fred, W6TKV
Dan wrote:
>
> Dave: I believe that the proper way to park your beam is with the boom end
> pointing into the wind. Most beams are mounted to the mast at the center of
> gravity (balance point). Since the reflector is heavier than the
> director(s), this means that the mast plate is not in the mid point of the
> boom. If the boom is broadside to the wind, gusts of wind apply a torque to
> the mast and bump against the rotator gears or brake wearing and possibly
> damaging them. If the boom is pointed into the wind, the elements have equal
> forces applied from the wind and no torquing. You can watch your beam in a
> gusty wind and see clearly the way it acts in different orientations. 73,
> Dan, N5AR
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: David Cook <davec@netdave.com>
> To: TowerTalk Discussion Group (E-mail) <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 9:57 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Parking the beam
>
> > Ok, yet again I haven't checked the archives, so please flame me for what
> is
> > probably a fequently asked question.
> >
> > I have my spankin' new tower and TH3 beam up at long last and I was
> thinking
> > that it would be a good idea to park the thing in a position most neutral
> to
> > the prevailing winds. I've been parking it with the elements in line with
> > the general wind direction here, but I'm wondering if it's better to turn
> it
> > face-on (elements broadside to the winds).
> >
> > It may not make any difference, but after all the hardship of rebuilding
> > this 20 year old antenna, putting the tower up, and raising the whole
> > assembly, I want to minimize the weather wear and tear as much as
> possible.
> >
> > Thanks for any advice, and 73,
> >
> > -- Dave, WA0TTN
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > 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.
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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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