[TowerTalk] Bird loading and elements

[Roger K8RI on Tower]

What kind of birds are they?

This reminds me, I was going to put up a photo of my antenna system showing 
a group of Cormorants using it as a wayover on their trip South.

Cormorants are *big* birds.  Even with the boom truss you can see the sag.
The scans are part of over 20,000 images, so it may take me a while to find 
them.  Too bad tthey weren't shot with the digital cameras. They'd be a lot 
easier to find.

At any rate, IF I find them I'll put some up on a page and post the link.
The occasional Hawk will perch up there, but they are small by comparrison.

Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com



> 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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>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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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>