[TowerTalk] Thrust bearing for AB-577??

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Yaesu show a mast bearing - mount to the mast above the rotator and
guy - but with your relatively small load I don't see a need for it.

Look at the loads K7NV had on his AB-577(s) with no bearing above the
rotator.  His TH7 represents significantly more load that you are
proposing.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

On 7/18/2023 9:41 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
> I have a C-3E tribander on an AB-577 "rocket launcher."  I also have a 
> 3-element 6-meter yagi that I was planning to mount 6 feet above the 
> Yaesu rotator at the top of the 577, but was deterred by concern of some 
> knowledgeable hams that this might overload the rotator and cause a 
> catastrophic failure, destroying the rotator and the tribander.  That's 
> just too big a risk for me.
> 
> It occurs to me to wonder whether someone out there has contrived a way 
> to mount a thrust bearing above the rotator on an AB-577?  I can 
> visualize what this might look like, involving a structure attached to 
> the top of the top-most tube below the rotator and supporting a thrust 
> bearing a foot or so above, but don't want to reinvent the wheel unless 
> necessary.
>