[TowerTalk] Advice on Cushcraft 40 meter repair

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 09/13/2000 8:21:35 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
jhfitzpa@facstaff.wisc.edu writes:

> I am seeking advice on repairing my Cushcraft shorty 40 beam. The problem is
>  simple. In some high winds this spring one of the tips of the driven 
element
>  came loose and fell to the ground. The tip is undamaged. I merely need to
>  place it back in the element and really tighten the clamp. My question is:
>  Can anyone think of a reasonable way to do this without tramming the whole
>  antenna to the ground? The antenna is mounted 1 foot above the flat top
>  plate on 90 feet of Rohn 45. The tower is guyed at the very top, just below
>  the antenna, and at the 60 and 30 foot levels. 

    Mark, K1RX, describes it very well. By suspending the antenna on trussed 
slings from the mast, you can roll the boom and tip the antenna to get it 
within reach of the tower. Then lash it up somehow (shortlines, slings, your 
choice) to hold it into place while you scamper down the tower to re-insert 
the tip.

> And yes Steve, I do know my
>  guy wire tension with my magical Loos tension gauge. 

    Huh? I don't remember asking - hi.

>  Because my station is
>  located 250 miles north of where I live, major repairs are a bit
>  problematic. It would be much esier if somehow I could do this near the top
>  of the tower or part way down. I have a gin pole at the top of the tower 
and
>  an electric winch for raising and lowering loads. My usual ground crew is 1
>  other person. 

    You should be able to do this yourself. The trick is to have enough 
carabiners and slings to do all the trussing, attaching, lashing, etc. I 
climb with about a dozen carabiners and slings and often use ALL of them. 

    BTW, losing hose-clamped element tips is pretty common. A suggestion is 
to use either self-tapping, chiselpoint TEK screws or rivets to give 
additional mechanical security. Use of either technique will provide 
virtually 100% reliability. 

Cheers & GL,   Steve   K7LXC

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com