[TowerTalk] Misc. Feedline / Guying / Anchor Questions from a Newcomer

James Nipper jnipper@southeast.net
Sat, 29 Apr 2000 18:31:45 -0400


Hello, I am a newcomer to this list.  I hope that the following
questions are appropriate to this list, it seems they should be from the
list description. 

After 25 years of using a Hy-Quad, I am going to put up a TH11DX, at 90
feet. My tower is a Rohn 25.  I have several questions that I know many
of you have expert experience on, and I would like to draw upon that
experience.  Some of these questions will seem quite elementary, but who
cares, huh??


1. Which is the best thrust bearing for me to use for this set-up?

2. How high above the tower should my mast go?  Stated differently, what
	is the ideal amount by which the beam should clear the tower?

3. I am considering the Yaesu 800sdx rotor. Any real advantage of using 
	the 1000sdx instead??

4. I think that I have pretty well decided on using Phillystran. Do many
of
	you fellows use it? Are there any drawbacks, except of course
	the expense?

5. Which size Phillystran should I use ?  4000 lb, or 6100 lb? Should
	I use the same size at all levels?

6. I will only be able to guy at about 60% (instead of ideal 80%), so
	I plan to put my guy anchors in concrete for more strength. I 
	will likely have about 2/3 cubic feet of concrete for each guy.
	Which Rohn guy anchor would you recommend ?

7. My coax run will be about 200 feet. I will need to direct bury the
	coax.  What is the best, low-loss coax (not hardline). Does The
	Wireman (or anyone else) have any better offering than LMR400?
	Have many of you guys used the LMR 400 ?? Is it ok for direct
	bury?

8. What is the ideal length of mast?? Perhaps a total of 10 feet, with
	say seven feet down in the tower and about three feet above it?
	
9. What is the best mast itself?  With this relatively short mast (short 
	distance above the tower, mainly) is aluminum alloy ok??

10.I plan to use a remote antenna switch at the tower, so that I can
switch
	from the beam to several planned slopers. Is it best to put that switch
	down near the ground, or up at the top?? I can see some pros/cons of 
	both, but I want YOUR experience.

-------------------------

Well, I think that ten questions are enough for my first posting. I hope
this isn't too much at one time, and I don't think any of these
questions should be controversial. But then again, this is a ham list,
hi hi. 

I do know that there is a wealth of experience on this list, and I will
surely appreciate any comments that any of you may render, even if only
on one or two of my questions.

73 and the best of DX to all of you !!   de  Jim  K4PYT

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