[TowerTalk] Summary of responses "to pin or not to pin "
GALE STEWARD
k3nd@yahoo.com
Wed, 15 Sep 1999 13:09:54 -0700 (PDT)
Instead of gluing two pieces of sandpaper together, you can use the
sanding mesh that has the grit on both sides.
73, Stew K3ND
--- "Donald E. Stiles" <goodnews@mail.cmedic.net> wrote:
>
> Gents,
>
> I see an option to the pinning question.
> "SANDPAPER". The gripping power of this
> inexpensive and easily installed option will give
> good results. Use a large grit
> sandpaper and snug the clamps down. To provide
> traction glue two pieces of
> sandpaper back to back with a waterproof glue i.e.,
> contact cement or hot melt
> blue. It will work as an alternative.
>
> 73 de n8csp k
>
> jack colson wrote:
>
> > Summary of: "To pin or not to pin"
> > -------------------------------------
> > What's the weight and turning radius of your
> proposed antenna? The
> > G-800 is a pretty medium duty rotator and 14+
> sq.ft. may exceed its
> > capacity.
> >
> > In answer to your question, I don't recommend
> pinning the mast.
> > First of
> > all, drilling your 4130 will be a pretty tough
> job. That's the first
> > reason
> > NOT to do it.
> >
> > Second is that when you take a big gust of
> wind, not having the
> > mast
> > pinned will allow the mast to rotate slightly. If
> it's pinned, what you
> > find
> > out is what the next weak link in the system is -
> and it's usually the
> > gear
> > train. It's much easier and cheaper to recalibrate
> the antennas
> > occasionally
> > than it is to swap and repair rotators.
> >
> > As you're probably aware, the Yaesu mast
> clamps will crack at the
> > slightest provocation. Be sure to follow their
> instructions.
> >
> > Cheers, Steve K7LXC
> >
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > But, Steve, Yaesu's instructions are very explicit
> in telling us to pin
> > with
> > the bolt provided! When I, as a believer in
> non-pinning, called Yaesu's
> > tech
> > support, I was told I must pin. Actually,
> considering that the 800SD(X)
> > has
> > no brake, this might be the proper thing to do. We
> can either crank the
> > hell
> > out of the clamps with no pin, and risk cracking
> them, or snug-em up
> > gently
> > per Yaesu's directions and pin. Wind blown
> rotation in the case of these
> >
> > rotators will just change its azimuth since
> there's no brake ("braking
> > torque" is a result of gear-reduction and
> friction). With no brake,
> > there
> > should be less risk of gear failure. So...I
> pinned. When the wind blows
> > it
> > around, I just turn it back where it belongs. Just
> trying to follow the
> > 'Prime Directive' ;>).
> >
> > Chuck, N4NM
> >
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > The antenna will tend to turn in the clamps
> otherwise, and if you
> > tighten
> > them enough to hold without the pin, they tend to
> break. Yaesu USA told
> > me
> > that they tried to get the factory to change to
> steel, but without
> > avail.
> >
> > On mine (-1000SDX), I went with a pin, but I
> purposely used one that is
> > smaller than the standard. My theory is that in a
> really extreme
> > situation
> > the pin might shear before the rotor died. So far
> I haven't had to find
> > out!
> >
> > There have also been threads on Towertalk about
> materials that can be
> > used
> > between the clamp and mast to increase friction.
> The one I liked best
> > was
> > high-friction industrial belting scraps -- you
> might check the archive.
> >
> > 73, Pete Smith N4ZR
> > n4zr@contesting.com
> >
> >
>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Jack,
> > I would pin it for sure. My experience is that
> when a pin I had broke,
> > the antenna just spun within the clam shells of
> the SDX 1000. In fact,
> > I
> > had two pins from Yaesu break, so I replaced
> theirs with a stainless
> > steel
> > pin and have not had any trouble. The clam shell
> clamp will not hold
> > your
> > antenna, it is not strong enough, you need the
> pin.
> > 73, Bruce K1XR
> >
> >
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Okay, okay - I'll concede the point.
> >
> > The original poster asked about *his*
> situation. I stand by my
> > advice to
> > 'not pin' since he's dealing with 4130 which will
> be a bear to drill.
> > It's
> > more of a practical consideration to me. I guess
> with the Yaesu
> > 'prone-to-break' clamps, they're just ensuring
> that the mast won't slip
> > inside the clamps.
> >
> > Cheers, Steve K7LXC
> >
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I use Yaesu rotors and big KLM antennas, and have
> tried it both ways.
> > Obviously, there is no way to keep the KLMs from
> turning in the puny
> > Yaesu
> > clamps, so I've opted to pin. However, if you use
> Yaesu's supplied pin,
> > it
> > will simply shear off on both ends at the first
> gust of wind, so you
> > MUST
> > use SS bolts.
> >
> > Yes, the 4130 was a bear to drill through, but if
> you start with brand
> > new
> > titanium-tipped bits and go from smaller to larger
> while using some
> > lubrication (and you exercise some patience, as
> well), you'll eventually
> > get
> > through. And I never have to re-orient the
> antennas (KT-34XA & 40M4 on
> > same
> > mast) anymore. They used to spin like tops!
> >
> > 73 de Jeff K2KV
> > k2kv@reallybig.com
> >
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > From:
> > "Barry Kutner" <w2up@mindspring.com>
> > To:
> > towertalk@contesting.com
> >
> > I also pin the mast which holds a TH7 and
> Cushcraft 402CD turned
> > by a T2X. Been up there almost 10 years. A few
> years
=== message truncated ===
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
--
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