[TowerTalk] When a Yagi Looses an Element

[Keith Dutson]

Bill,

Rather than shifting the boom you may want to try using a long tag line on
the "light" end to ground.  I have seen this done with great success.

To place the tag line, there are several options.  I have used a fishing
pole with 3 ounce weight at the top to place a line between the last two
elements and let the line descend to the ground crew.  Then tie the line to
the mast and cut it off.  Attach another weight to the line and place on the
other side of the boom between the last elements.  Cut the second line,
untie the first line and tie to the two together.  Use the fishing pole to
place the junction of the two lines on the boom between the outer elements.
Now the ground crew can attach the tag line to one end of the fishing line
and pull it over the boom.

Keith NM5G

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Cqtestk4xs at aol.com
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 7:37 AM
To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] When a Yagi Looses an Element

Thanks for all the advice on fixing my 4 el 40 KLM monster.  After digesting
all of it I think I have hit upon a plan.

This monster was trammed up in the summer of 98 and has been one of my
favorites.  It was trammed to the top of the 200 footer using a standard on
line tram system with a truck at the bottom to provide the horsepower.  

Since it has been up for seven years and has weathered two hurricanes it
might be time to see if there is other damage that it not readily apparent.

Therefore, I will be tramming it down to the ground for a close inspection
and possibly install the new DX-Engineering boom to element mounts that were
recommended.

As far as balancing the now unbalanced beam, I plan to use a come-along to
'pull' the boom through the mast to boom plate enough to get the antenna
more or less balanced prior to tramming it down.

Getting this antenna up was not a job for the faint hearted, but with lots
of experience since 97 it should be easy enough to get down without a crane
(cost factor $1000 plus), and back up.

I plan on doing this within the next two weeks and will let you all know how
it goes.

Bill  K4XS
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