[TowerTalk] Schedule 40 pipe or HD aluminum mast?

[thompson@mindspring.com]

Don't use schedule 40 water pipe for a long mast.   Its OK if the mast goes
to a rotor just below, but anything over 3 or 4 feet
is asking for problems.  Schedule 40 is designed for flow inside not outside
strength.   Several in Atlanta have had good luck with thick wall
aluminum from Tull Metals.   The usual is to stack 4 or 5 el mono banders on
a 20' piece.  The aluminum cost $150 in the early 80's and its probably
double that now.   I use the IIX ladder mast 18' and have a 2 el X beam for
12 at the bottom, a KT34XA at 76.5' and a 2 el 40
at 86' with a 2 meter isopole at the top.   Its been thru 2 tornadoes, 2
hurricanes (one with 85 mph wind) and lasted longer than any other mast (17
years) I have had.   IIX advertises in QST et al.

73 Dave K4JRB



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