I didn't catch the part about it being the antenna. If so, depending on the
mast I'd not be afraid to pin it, but generally the good clamps have a
center bolt that is sufficient, but can be replaced with a longer through
bolt. OTOH on some clamps that particular location would line up with the
boom without enough clearance for a bolt head. Pinning above or below the
boom centerline *may* give asymmetrical loads on the mast, ending up with
the boom wanting to rock up and down.
> Sounds to me like he said "the antenna rotates on the mast," and not "the
> mast twists inside the rotator clamps." There's a difference, although
> the
> suggestion that pinning stuff can lead to rotator destruction is pretty
> valid and which part actually rotates may not matter much.
>
> Still, some boom-to-mast clamps aren't very good and I've seem some that
> are
> downright inadequate.
>
> I pin everything with a HAM-IV and it takes the beating okay...however
> it's
> not overloaded at all, and is only turning about half its rated load.
>
I actually had a Ham IV or V under my big array to hold it in place after
the working rotator failed. I only used it to hold things in place and
crossed my fingers every time the wind blew. OTOH that was one big load
<:-))
Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com (Use return address from home page)
< snip >
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