[TowerTalk] Roof Towers

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 08/03/2000 3:48:45 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
kirklaw@flint.umich.edu writes:

> 
>                     Has anyone had experience in using a tri-bander on 
>  top of your roof with a
>                     roof tower mount? Have been looking to put up my TA-
>  34XL, but if I choose
>                     to mount it on a roof tower (such as a Glen Martin 10 
>  footer) will I have any
>                     distortions in the pattern or swr problems if it is 
only 
>  10 ft. from the roof
>                     line? I called Mosley and didn't really get a 
convincing 
>  answer, but they
>                     stated that anything beyond 7ft from the antenna 
>  shouldn't affect it at all. If
>                     I choose a roof mount, the antenna would be approx 
>  40 to 45ft high (from
>                     ground level). I would like some real "hands-on" 
>  answers from those who
>                     have been there.   

    I've installed about a half-dozen of them and have been happy with them 
all. I would suggest throwing away the little lag screws GME provides and go 
with through-the-roof all-thread that goes through a backing plate (2x4 or 
such) across the trusses. This'll spread the stress over a larger area. Just 
be sure to do a good job with your RTV in the holes to prevent water leakage. 

>  AND....what advice for roof mounted towers??  
>  Lightning protection, etc. 

    It's pretty difficult (impossible?) to have a low-resistance path to 
ground 30+ feet from the tower to earth ground but I'd put one in anyway. 
Your best course is to remove the cables from everything in the shack when a 
thuderstorm approaches. 

Cheers,   Steve    K7LXC
Tower Tech

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