[antennaware] Homebrew vertical construction

[John Kaufmann]

At 07:50 AM 9/20/98 -0500, W9SN wrote:
>
>Has anyone had success with 67' tall verticals for 80 meters?
>Owning my own plumbing buss, I can buy copper pipe for a great
>price.  I currently have a 40 meter 4-square made from copper
>that starts out at one inch and reduces to 1/2 inch at the top.
>I can buy copper locally up to 3" by 20' ft long.  Just wondering
>if I started out at 3" and reduce to 2" then so on.  Not sure
>if it will structurally stand and stay up.  
> The 4-square has 4x4 wood posts that are sunk in the ground
>with 2x4's strapped to the elements that pivot on the 4x4's.  That
>way, I can raise and lower them and takes some of the stress off of
>the copper.  Been up for nearly 2 years without any trouble.  
>2 elements on 80 this winter would be nice.  Any thoughts guys??
>Thanks.....

I have full size 80 meter verticals made from 6061-T6 tubing, starting at
2" OD
at the bottom and tapering to 5/8" at the top.  They have a hinged insulated
base that allows them to be erected by a single person.  They are guyed at the
24' and 48' foot levels and have been up since 1985.

I question whether copper pipe is a good material for this application.  I
would guess copper would be much heavier than aluminum, making it harder to
erect.  It's probably softer, too, and I would question its durability.  A
full
size 80 meter vertical is a much different animal than a 40 meter one.  My
recommendation is to go with aluminum tubing.

73, John W1FV 

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