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[TowerTalk] correcting a stupid mistake

To: TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] correcting a stupid mistake
From: Bob Alexander <realex@flash.net>
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:21:52 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Howdy,

I find myself in the embarrassing position of having to correct a stupid 
mistake that was made when my TH7 was reassembled after repairs from 
storm damage.

As we were bolting the TH7 to the mast (after raising it over the house, 
around one tree and over another) we realized the mounting plate on the 
boom was not normal to the elements.  It was about 5 ½ degrees off 
vertical when we leveled out the elements and tightened all the 
hardware.   So,  I have a tribander that works perfectly but has element 
ends on one side 18 inches above the boom and 18 inches below the boom 
on the other side.   After the ordeal of getting it to the top of the 
tower we elected to leave it as is on the tower.

Without taking the antenna down, the only way I can see to level out the 
elements is to put a shim between the mast bracket and boom plate.  A 
tapered shim about ¼ inches thick should do the trick.

 My question is, from a mechanical standpoint, is this a good idea? 

It works well so why fix it?  When the storm damage occurred, there was 
a two element 40 stacked with the tribander.  I decided to simplify 
things and only go back up with the tribander.  The 40 was replaced with 
a pair of phased 40 mtr verticals.  Now, the XYL has decided the 
verticals clash too much with her landscaping. Green paint is not an option

Any opinions on the shim or references to mechanical texts on the 
subject will be appreciated.

I really do not want to come down and back up with the TH7 if I can 
avoid it.

73,

Bob, W5AH

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