[TowerTalk] Aluminum mast

[Bob Maser]

Why would anyone want to use aluminum for a mast?  Rust resistance? 
Lightweight? Flexibility?  None of these are necessary characteristics of a 
mast.  The toughest aluminum alloy made doesn't come close to most steel 
alloys.  I recall back in the 70's a certain ham(a WB9) decided to use 
aluminum to stack some  beams.  To stiffen it up, he drove a hardwood dowel 
into the mast.  6 months later the top half broke off in a wind storm and 
came right thru his kitchen roof.  True story.

Bob  W6TR
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "D. Scott MacKenzie" <kb0fhp at comcast.net>
To: "Roger Kissel" <kc8hz at hotmail.com>; <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 7:19 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Aluminum mast


>I would inspect it - perhaps doing a dye-penetrant examination (look at
> welding supply stores) - but other than that - it should work well as long
> as you apply adequate safety factor and do not load it excessively
>
> Scott
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Roger Kissel
> Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 7:14 PM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Aluminum mast
>
>
> Hi All
>
> I think I recall seeing a comment about mast, tubing and pipe.
>
> Back in my early days, we used extruded 6061-T6 in 2 inch diameter with 
> 1/4
> inch wall. Many of us sprung for the tubing and put as much os 20 feet of 
> it
> out the top of the tower. It seemed to hold up and I don't remember anyone
> having any problem with it.
>
> That being said, I'm planning to put a tower with some HF antennae and I
> found my old 24 foot 6061 mast in the barn. It's about 30 years old and
> isn't even corroded.      You know what I'm planning to do, so let me hear
> why I SHOULDN'T use this.  Especially after all the years of great track
> record from the locals in southwestern Ohio.
>
> Roger
> KC8HZ
>
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