[TowerTalk] Rotator Clamps

Courtney Judd K4WI k4wi at earthlink.net
Wed Mar 1 20:24:54 EST 2006


Steve, FWIW, no clamp will hold in a outdoor changing environment for a long
period of time.  All metals expand and shrink with temperature variations. I
have a Rohn 25.. 110 Ft with an old KLM 20 mtr Big Stick... 59' boom and
135#  turning by an old Tailtwister.  The clamps are only snugged tight;
just enough to basically hold the array in normal conditions. I drilled a
hole thru clamp holders and pipe  ... 1/4 inch and installed 1/4 in grade 8
bolt. Use grade 8 as it will shear cleanly rather than tear. In 20 years
nothing as ever happened to the rotator, tower, or antenna; but usually at
least once a year a trip up the tower was necessary to replace the sheared
bolt. The antenna is pinned with a much bigger bolt. The 1/4 in. is the
safety  fuse so to speak. IMHO, the best way out! 73's Cort K4WI




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