[TowerTalk] High VSWR

[Wes]

For those that may have missed the link to Doug's build photos here it is:

http://w6dsr.com/LP1005AA/index.html

Doug, I'm sorry about your loss.  But if the mast isn't bent, which the one 
post-failure photo I've seen (Dave I'd like to see the others) seems to 
indicate, then you still have tower, rotor, and mast.  I'd put up a less heroic 
"ham-style" stack and get on the air.

Wes  N7WS

On 8/28/2019 6:32 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
>
> That certainly is tragic, although I'm greatly relieved that it doesn't appear 
> anyone was hurt.
>
> It is truly amazing to see the thought and effort you put into that antenna, 
> and a tremendous shame to have it come down like that.  I hope you decide to 
> rebuild instead of finding a different hobby.
>
> This is one case where being able to post the pictures to the reflector would 
> have been desirable.  I'm sure you don't want to be bothered by that, so if 
> anyone wants to see them I will forward them for you.  For those interested, 
> send me a private reply ... not to the list.
>
> Take care,
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
>
> On 8/28/2019 6:12 PM, Doug Ronald wrote:
>> I'm too upset to do a complete post mortem, but the antenna lowered to about 
>> the point in the attached image, and then there was a failure in either the 
>> 1/2" wire rope, or the wire rope slipped out of the 4 clips I had at the 
>> antenna end. My calculated tension in the cable was 14,900 pounds with the 
>> antenna at the horizontal position, but at 45 degrees, the tension would have 
>> been only 11,000 pounds or so.
>> The clips were to be torqued to 65 ft. lb. but not overtightened such that 
>> the wire rope is crushed. I don't have a torque wrench, so I guessed at the 
>> 65 ft. lbs. I guess I didn't have them torqued enough, but there was no 
>> slippage when I put the antenna up a couple years ago using the same rope, 
>> and the same clips.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of David 
>> Gilbert
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 16:51
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] High VSWR
>>
>>
>> That story would be a lot more interesting if you actually explained what 
>> happened.
>>
>> Dave   AB7E
>>
>>
>>
>> On 8/28/2019 3:30 PM, Doug Ronald wrote:
>>> Hmmm, my VSWR came up a little high this afternoon, see my QRZ page to
>>> see why.
>>>
>>>
>>> Actually, I shouldn't joke about it - I'm totally devastated.
>>>
>>>
>>> 73 all,
>>>
>>> -Doug Ronald, W6DSR
>> _______________________________________________