[TowerTalk] Swinging Gate Side Mount - Additional Turning Radius?

[N7KA at comcast.net]

The top plate I use just has an approx 2.125 hole, no bearing, no etc.  The mast extends about 3 inches above the top plate.The lateral movement is nil and any metal to metal wear from rotation or lateral movement is negligible.  I took this system down in summer 2011 to repaint.  The wear after these years was negligible, ok, it did remove the paint.  Remember our systems rotate at about 1 rpm.  My approx 16ft vertical mast is 2" od with about 0.18 wall.   BTW, this system has gone through many 60-70mph winds in our summer monsoon winds of NM (also windy season is spring and fall).  I do not worry which direction the antennas are pointing/parked.  The 2 side arms are about 6ft apart.  Rotor, T2X, supports all weight. 

  

This is a proven "KISS" system, 20+ years. 

  

Oh, forgot to mention the tools needed to build this: tape measure, hack saw and my drill press. 

  

The antenna system, not a close up, is shown on QRZ dot com. One can get a really rough idea.  I do not have a web site to post any detail info/pictures.  Have not checked steel prices but maybe $25 material cost depending upon one's scrounging abilities.  I am building another side mount this spring, more yagis to mount (can never have enough).  

Arne N7KA 
----- Original Message -----
Yup! That works too. How did you handle the "bearing" above the rotor?  Just 
a short piece of pipe larger than the mast? Most folks don't have a lower 
mast support for their Ham-4 or Tailtwister though.. :) 
73 
Jim W7RY