It has beem written:
>
>They are rated at 50 mph for their wind loads.
>
>I personally do not recommend their use. I wish they would redesign
>them for realistic wind districts and antennas.
My MA-550 has been up since the Spring of 1992. During that
time it has survived Hurricane Iniki - top winds 180+ mph- during
which it vibrated like crazy! I had it cranked all the way down, around
23 feet; the 4 element quad with 30 foot boom was totally destroyed
by the winds, but the 550 just vibrated (in concrete, 2 yards or same,
6 foot deep hole by 3 foot square..
We are now going through very gusty gale force winds -- to 50+
nearly every hour out here. My QTH is in a very wind vulnerable
spot on the island. The winds began a few days ago, and
are forecast to continue another week. My 550 is up about
45 feet now, and is carrying a C4 and a 33 foot tall aluminum
tube whip on top!
The entire affair perhaps sways a couple feet at the top of the 550,
but all is just fine. When the wind is really strong, the Tailtwister
rotor refuses to turn the beam, I guess because the force on
the C4 is too great from the wind. So I just wait for the gust to
pass, then turn the beam, hi.
The MA 550 seems to survive just fine. Should the winds go much
tropical storm level 55-60mph, I lower the tower.
73, Jim, KH7M
On the Garden Island of Kauai
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