[TowerTalk] Bent Mast

[n4kg@juno.com]

Clearly a crane is the SAFEST solution.

That said,  here is my experience with a bent water pipe:

I use a water pipe stuck in the ground to assemble (and store)
antennas.  I had a couple of 3L20's plus 3L10 and 5L10 on the
top of this mast.  A heavy limb blew off a nearby tree, hitting
the boom of the Telrex 3L20, bending the mast over.  I merely
grabbed the mast and pushed it back upright without too much
effort.  Bottom line:  if your tower is guyed near the top, you
MIGHT be able to pull the mast back to vertical without over
stressing the tower.  I suspect the strength of water pipe varies
greatly.  I confess that I have had a 5L10 riding 7 ft above a
4L15 for at least 15 years on a galvanized water pipe mast.
I checked it before installation by placing a fulcrum 7 ft from
the top, having another person stand on the long end while
I stood on the top end.  It did not bend so I went ahead and
used it (successfully).  I hope K7LXC doesn't ban me from
TowerTalk for this confession :-).

73 / GL,  Tom  N4KG

On Mon, 23 Apr 2001 06:37:52 -0400 "Roger D. Johnson" <n1rj@pivot.net>
writes:
> Last year a local ham put up a stacked array on a water pipe mast.
> During a winter storm, it bent about 20 degrees just above the 
> snorkel
> on the Rohn 25. He seems to think he can attach a line and bend the
> mast back into line so it will drop through the top section. I don't
> think this stands a chance of working and have advised him to spend
> the bucks and hire a crane. What is the collective wisdom on how to
> handle this situation without getting someone killed or injured.
> 
> Thanks, Roger
> 
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