[TowerTalk] Torsion and masts

[K4SB]

Tod, I'm not quite sure the coupling in a drive shaft would take that
sort of punishment.

However, and it's in the archives, the oldest trick in the world is
to find a motorcycle front spring of an inside diament just slightly 
greater than the mast. Put the spring over the mast so the bottom of the
spring is about 1 foot up, and have the spring welded at both ends.
Now simply cut out about 3" or so of the portion of the mast inside the
spring. 

Now, when you rotate that long mast and antenna, the spring will absorb
the initial torque and away she goes. When the rotor is stopped, the
spring again takes the torque and then releases to a neutral position.

BTDT, cheap, works fine, lasts a long time.

73

Ed

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm