[TowerTalk] Rotor change out question

[ac9s at mchsi.com]

When I install a rotator I always leave a little space, about 1/4" between the bottom of the mast and the rotator.  I use the bolts on the thrust bearing to hold the mast until I tighten the rotator bolts and then I loosen the thrust bearing bolts to unload it.  When it is time to change the rotator I simply tighten the thrust bearing bolts again, remove the rotator bolts and tip the old rotator out.  I can usually swap rotators in less than a half hour on the tower, given that I have a hot spare to pull up and tip back in.  If I need to leave the antennas without a rotator for a time I have a set of three angle iron that I have drilled with saddle clamps to clamp the mast to each of the three tower legs.  With three clamps on the mast this has arrangement has withstood pretty high winds.  It worked well on a Skyhawk / Cushcraft Warc dipole arrangement as well as my current 3el/40 Steppir.

Keith
AC9S