From my experience as an HF mobile contester, what keeps trees down (up) to a
reasonable level is truck traffic. Where the semis roll, 12 feet would not be a
problem. But where they don't routinely go, I'd be hesitant with any
non-flexing antenna taller than a large pickup truck.
73,
Jim K8MR
-----Original Message-----
From: Pete K0BAK via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
To: vhfcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Sent: Mon, Dec 22, 2014 10:47 am
Subject: [VHFcontesting] 12 foot rover mast too high?
To the rovers:
I have a walk-up mast system (Penninger Radio) for my minivan rover beams that
I
previously had to construct on-site at each stop. I've been working toward
getting a real ham rotor on the bottom of the mast, and to travel with the
beams
up to increase my operating time by not having construct at each site.
I just put the system together yesterday. The combination of the pivot device,
the rotor, and mast sections I'm using altogether put the top of the mast
slightly over 12 feet from the ground. It looks dangerously tall to me for
driving.
Before I spend more time on getting the mast more stable with some metal
between
a ring bearing and the roof rack, do you guys have an opinion about driving
with
a mast that high? On interstates and state roads, it shouldn't be a problem,
but
I'm wondering if you have a mast that tall with antennas (I will have 4 ~10'
beams) while driving to good sites on heavily-wooded roads with
antenna-snagging
low branches.
What would you consider the maximum reasonably-safe height for travel in the
Northeast with it's narrow back roads, tree canopies, and old railroad bridges
(I'm from Pennsylvania)?
Thanks, Pete K0BAK
_______________________________________________
VHFcontesting mailing list
VHFcontesting@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
|