[TowerTalk] 40 Meter Vertical Construction

[Dick Green]

As I recall, I used 6 inch overlap for my 40m 4-square. Sections connect
with cross cuts and hose clamps. Started with 2" diameter at the bottom.
Completely self-supporting - no guys needed. I used 6063-T832 from Texas
Towers. Make sure you debur both ends of each tube after making your cross
cuts. Also, clean the outside of the tubing (I cleaned the inside, which
might have been overkill, but a small piece of dirt can impede telescoping.)
After construction I fully nested the tubing, attached it to a pressure
treated 4x4, stood on a ladder and untelescoped it to the full height. Easy
as pie.

73, Dick WC1M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Macie, Gordon [mailto:GMacie at innotrac.com]
> Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 5:17 PM
> To: 'towertalk at contesting.com'
> Subject: [TowerTalk] 40 Meter Vertical Construction
> 
> 
> I am building a 40 meter 4-square. I have decided to build it
> with aluminum from Texas Towers. The bottom section will be 
> 1.625 and reduce 1/8 per section above that with the top 
> peice being .875. How much do I need to overlap or telescope 
> into each section for mechanical strength ??.. I am thinking 
> 6 to 12 inches. 
> 
> Blurb below from Texas Towers web site.
> 6063-T832 Drawn Aluminum Tubing
> Typical yield strength of 40,000 psi. The chart shows all 
> available telescoping sizes which are specifically designed 
> to fit together precisely, making antenna construction easy, 
> while offering professional results.
> 
> 
> Gordon N4LR
> n4lr at arrl.net
> 
>