[TowerTalk] Bird loading and elements

[Pete Smith]

Interesting story about birds breaking a reflector tip.  During the spring 
and fall, I often have so many small migrating birds on my Force 12 EF-240S 
that they are literally shoulder to shoulder.  The elements bend 
dramatically, but always spring back.  Occasionally some hawks or turkey 
buzzards will perch on the antenna, but they wisely do not attempt it out 
at the tips, preferring the boom instead.

I'm a little surprised that birds that would try to perch on an element tip 
would be so heavy as to break it.

73, Pete N4ZR

At 10:42 PM 5/3/2005, SJ W3TX wrote:

>I have seven M2 monobanders up.
>
>Everything has held up well since 1999!  Their designs and QC and customer
>service have been excellent.
>
>I've had two mechanical failures...both were acts of nature that NO design
>could survive.
>
>The first was when a chunck of ice fell off the 40m3 at 120ft and hit a
>director on the 10m7 at 35 feet.  I'm glad it hit the element and not a
>person or pet!
>
>The second was when a flock of birds roosted on the 40m3 reflector creating
>a force that exceeded the elasticity modulus of the aluminum tip section.
>The birds were a little surprised, but none got hurt (if they had I could
>fix the birds...I'm a vet).
>
>The birds were back the next day (and every day since) testing the antennas
>again...so far the antennas are fine!  With 41 elements on one pole, all the
>roosting activity, and the inevitable bird droppings I'm starting to wonder
>if I can pay for this hobby by starting a guano factory?  Maybe I need more
>elements!!
>
>I like the M2 yagi so much I ordered more for future use.
>
>73, Scott W3TX
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless 
>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with 
>any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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