[TowerTalk] Fwd: Heights Towers Aluminum??

[Roger (K8RI)]

Rick Karlquist wrote:
> It is interesting to note that the Glen Martin aluminum towers do not
> use welds but instead use a bazillion fasteners.  They have their
> own issues, but I suspect they are more amenable to a reliable
> solution than dicey welding.
>   
The same issues do not manifest themselves with welding on steel towers 
even though they exist. The reason being the steel is strong enough and 
is not subject to some of the idiosyncrasies of welded aluminum alloy 
such as separation of the components of the alloy. Steel is also much 
easier to heat treat, or in this case, "normalize" IF need be. However, 
normalizing is typically used in things such as the welds on the steel 
tube fuselage of the so called "rag and tube" aircraft.  I doubt there 
are any steel towers that have the  welds and surrounding areas normalized.

Roger (K8RI - ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R (World's oldest Debonair)