[TowerTalk] Chrome Molly tube.

[Jim Lux]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tower (K8RI)" <tower at rogerhalstead.com>
To: <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 8:58 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Chrome Molly tube.


> I'm looking for some chrome molly tube to replace the structural steel I'm
> using now.
>
> I currently have 2 22-23 foot long pieces of 1 1/2 inch with 1/4 inch wall
> butt welded together.  Over the splice is a 24 foot length of 2" which
just
> nicely fits over the  1 1/2.
>
> When the winds hit 50 to 70 MPH the thing looks like a blue gill fly rod
> that just tied into a Bass. I find it amazing the VHF and UHF antennas
have
> held together for two winters.
>
> My thoughts are the Chrome molly tube would be more rigid, albeit a whale
of
> a lot more expensive.

Why do you want it more rigid/stiff?  Just because it flexes doesn't mean
it's going to fail (that's more a function of the material yield point). A
stiffer mast will change the distribution of loads which might have
unforeseen side effects.

Jim
W6RMK