[TowerTalk] Side mount on Trylon Tower

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/21/03 3:01:52 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
olinger at bellsouth.net writes:

> Need to remember that the Trylon corners are not exactly vertical (go in 
inch 
> and a half each section). Also the vertical pieces are 120 degree rounded 
> corner channel material, not tubes as on Rohn 25, etc.

    Slight clarifications: the sections taper 3-inches per section and the 
legs are 60 degree angle. The important point being that the legs are not 
round. 
>  
>  Using U-bolts on them will deform the vertical channel shape, and create a 
> weak point in the vertical piece. Not good given the high compression 
forces 
> that can occur in the wind. The vertical has a widened "U" shape which gets 
> its strength from the same concepts that make an I beam strong.
>  
>  Whatever is placed on a corner will have to be something specially 
> fabricated with some odd bends to mount flat to the faces of the vertical 
> channel material, and use the existing holes for mounting. 
>  
>  A clamp would have to be a special designed item that prevents deforming 
the 
> "U". 
>  
    It's really easier than that. There are many unoccupied holes already 
drilled in the leg. Use a piece of angle iron or aluminum and bolt it to two 
legs; one hole will go in an unoccupied hole and the other one will go where 
there is a diagonal attached - no U-bolt or special hardware required. I'd 
back up the nut with an oversized washer to spread the stress over a larger 
area. 

    Next attach a pipe vertically between the horizontal pieces - now you can 
attach a fixed antenna or hang the rest of the swinging gate sidemount. 

    If you've got some angle iron or aluminum, U-bolts, aluminum plates (for 
pipe-to-pipe mounts; i.e. boom-to-mast clamps), and some pipe - you can build 
just about anything for tower appurtenances. 

    Go nuts!

Cheers,
Steve     K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for commercial and amateur