[TowerTalk] Aluminum Masts

[David Thompson]

In the early 1980's JM Tull Metals produced a 2" OD with at least .25 wall
that sounds like what W3YY was mentioning.  Several local hams contacted a
Mr. Smith who was a Vice President and he told them of a 20 foot stalk that
Tull produced for telecommunications applications.  Dan  Britt K4UCK (SK)
gave Mr. Smith
his requirement for 3 stacked 5 element Hy-gain beams.  The piece that Smith
came up with cost about $250 in 1981 dollars.  I recall the wall varied from
.25 to nearly .5.

Dan and about 5 or 6 others had the mast up and some are probably still up
today.  JM Tull is now Ryerson/Tull but I assume they still make this type
of aluminum that is good for masts.

Dan's mast went thru a nearby Tornado that took down a BC radio tower that
was guyed to the hilt.

Dave K4JRB