[TowerTalk] TicRing vs. Side Mount

[WD4K]

Well, after going through this and solving the problems I can tell you this.
The weight, design (open area), and rotatability (balance, windload etc) of
the antenna itself have more to do with the decision than cost. I looked at
commercially advertised mounts and decided to build my own. I found no
sidemount that would turn a C31XR. Some were OK for monobanders, 2M, 6M etc
but I also saw design flaws in some that make it downright dangerous. I had
folks tell me that theirs would work, but when asked point blank if they had
done it or seen it work, the answers were either "no" or vague. They will
tell you why it SHOULD work--not that it does.
I would suggest the following as food for thought from my experience::
If your antenna has less than 40" open area, weighs more than 75 lbs, you
cannot build your own, and if the maker of the sidemount cannot absolutely
GUARANTEE that it will work (backed with free return shipping etc.) --go
with the TIC. If I did not have the ability to do my own- I would use the
TIC. My lower C31 has been up for a year, through 60+MPH winds,numerous
contests, rotates 300 degrees, all with no problems so it can be done.
You will also notice that most ads for sidemounts show monobanders--not
tribanders. That should tell you something. There is a BIG difference
between a 30# monobander and a 100# (+ -) tribander. Sidemounts with big
tribanders are a different animal. As LXC says, there are places for
both--BUT--Do your homework FIRST. Been there-done that:) Tommy WD4K

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
[mailto:owner-towertalk@contesting.com]On Behalf Of K7LXC@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 7:36 AM
To: rmidgett@bellsouth.net; w2up@mindspring.com;
TOWERTALK@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] TicRing vs. Side Mount


In a message dated 3/13/01 8:00:02 PM Pacific Standard Time,
rmidgett@bellsouth.net writes:

> That depends (doesn't most things?) on the rotor investment. For instance,
>  a Ham IV can be had at a hamfest for <$300 with controller, or from Rotor
>  Doctor for $375.00. IDC Technology offers the Sidewinder for Rohn 25G at
>  $250.00, an investment of $550 - $575, which is much less than a new TIC
&
>  its bag of headaches. If 360 degree rotation isn't absolutely required,
the
>  side mount wins my vote.

    I agree. By the time you factor in the time involved to install either
of
them (the sidemount is simple, the TIC takes more time and screwing around)
and the apparent greater reliability of the Ham IV, I'd go for the sidemount
anyday. Providing of course that the antenna is capable of turning around
the
tower, which is the problem which makes people purchase the TIC in the first
place. They both have their place.

Cheers,   Steve   K7LXC
Tower Tech

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