[TowerTalk] Rotator cage design

[Dick Dievendorff]

I bought an extra rotator plate with a 3" + a bit hole drilled in it and a
saddle clamp welded to the plate. The intent was to have something to take
the lateral force of the mast bottom and permit the rotator to be removed
for service.  Like most masts, it's top heavy.

The hole in the plate didn't line up with the rotator, so we ended up
pulling it out while paying crane time.  

If you do this, make sure things line up really well!  I still think it's a
good idea, it's the execution that I got wrong.

73 de Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Rick Kiessig
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 11:02 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Rotator cage design

I understand that rotators are not designed to handle lateral loads, and
that I should therefore have the rotator on one shelf, then a second shelf
above that with a radial support bearing on it, to handle the lateral loads.
The most likely antenna at the moment (still a moving target) weighs 29kg,
with a 7.2 sq ft wind load and a 6m turning radius. Kurt K7NV suggested
welding two plates on the side of my pole/tower, at the top, a few feet
apart. Does anyone know of existing designs/drawings for that kind of thing?

73, Rick ZL2HAM

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