[TowerTalk] Rotator at bottom of tower

[Steve Maki]

Hi Stan,

I once tried that very thing with 70' of 1.5" schedule 40 pipe, and was 
amazed at how much twist there was in that length of pipe. My antenna 
was a 4 el triband quad on a 30' boom. In strong gusty winds the antenna 
would swing back and forth at least 30º total.

So I'm pretty sure with a 100' mast and a 48' boom, you will not be a 
happy camper.

73,
Steve K8LX



Stan Stockton wrote:
> I am "considering" the possibility of running 105 feet of pipe
> extending the existing mast to near ground level and mounting the
> rotator at that location.  The antenna is 20M5L48.  I have to take
> the rotator down because of a maintenance issue anyway and thought
> that in the long run it might be nice to have the rotator low to the
> ground.
> 
> The plan would be to use 1.5" Schedule 40 pipe (1.90" OD), leave the
> two thrust bearings that are located at the top of the tower and down
> about 6 foot, add another thrust bearing about 10 feet above the
> rotator and have about 3 or 4 other brackets with UV inhibited PVC
> bearings to center the mast from about 20 feet to about 110 feet.
> 
> If any of you have done something similar, I would appreciate knowing
> the pros and cons of such a plan.
> 
> Thanks...Stan, K5GO
> 
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