[TowerTalk] Tripod and a bearing

[Rick Morris]

I am installing a Cushcraft A50-3S atop a 10' tripod and am using a
Yaesu G-450A rotor.  The mast will extend about 5 to 8 feet above the
tripod with the rotor about 5 feet down from the top.  The problem is
the mast does not have any bearings for the mast to rotate in.  All it
has is bolts through a collar at the top of the tripod and again in
another collar about halfway between the rotor and the top of the mast.
It would seem to me that this would make it difficult for the mast to
rotate due to the drag on the mast from the bolts. However, a few local
hams has said this is not a problem.

The top of the tripod is not like the top of a regular tower section,
where there is a round-like "tube" for a thrust bearing to rest upon.
Instead, the top of the tower is essentially three tubular legs with
flattened ends, and a collar made out of 3 ohm-symbol shaped brackets
that bolt between the top of each leg.  Each bracket has a bolt through
it to level the mast.

What I am wondering is if someone knows of a way to attach a bearing to
the top of such a "tripod", or if one is really needed.

Obviously I am new to learning about towers.

Tnx,
Rick Morris
KD4VOJ
morrisr@mindspring.com






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