[TowerTalk] aluminum mast vs. tramming

[Steve K7AWB]

I have an aluminum mast  (which is 2” OD and 0.25” wall and about 11 feet) out of the flat top of the Rohn 25.  Already I have a M2 17-element 2-meter yagi at the top of the mast.  Below that antenna, and right above the flat top plate of the tower, I want to put my Force 12 5BA 5-band, 15 element yagi.



With my other tower, 90 feet of Rohn 45, we put up a 6-element Force 12 Mag 620 the first time by simply dropping each of guys and reconnecting once the antenna was above each guy point.  The second time we put it up, after balun replacement, we used a friend’s tram line and back-stay – of course the mast was 2” OD and 0.25“ wall and heavy!  



I don’t think I want to chance the Rohn 25 at 102 feet with that drop-the-guy process.  



So the question is : will a tram line work or will I bend the mast?  Even using a back-stay might cause undue pressure and bend the expensive mast.  And a bent mast does not rotate nicely.  





Steve K7AWB

Nine Mile Falls, WA

DN17es