I have seen reviews with these towers lumped together but after some research
after I bought a used W-51 and was told to use instructions and specs on the
current production of the WT-51.
Well I talked on the phone to someone at the company voicing some concerns
after finding a picture of this tower bent in half google WT- 51 tower under
images this was K8MN tower. the guy at the company was shocked to see there
bent over tower.
then the distinction this was the older Tower.
So, I asked for the specs on the older version of the tower to see if it was
the same . He could find no specs for me Just some diagrams parts list dating
back 2nd 1972 I didn't realize the towers dated back that far.
I confirmed one major difference the top section on the new towers are 1" with
1/8 wall but the older W - 51 has only a 16th wall!
If anyone has some Specs on the old tower please pass it along the new tower
specs says 14 sq ft at 85 mph winds. But the tech on the phone is saying
with top section being 1/2 the wall thickness of the new would cut the the
wind sq ft rating down to only 5-6 sq ft! so before you put up a large HF
beams and few vhf boomers if you have the older W 51 , I don't think 1970's
specifications have it rated at 14 sq ft @ 85 mph wind as the ones are?
So I will be guying my "free standing" W - 51 at the top and middle sections
and a large frame bracket to the house at the 20 Ft level , 2.5 x 2.5 x 5 Ft
concrete foundation with re-bar cage and pray it does not come down.
I plan to have 3 ele steppir with addon 8 sq ft total and 10 ft steel mast
with antenna at the top with 3 feet of mast in the tower plus the rotator.
thoughts on whether this will be adequate and specs on the older tower will be
appreciated.
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