[TowerTalk] Rotator Replacement in LM354 Question

[Larry Schulman]

Rob:

One other thing that I have to remind you.  Do not under any circumstances
work on the tower other than when it is nested.  If you have to work on the
tower while it is extended, be sure to chock off each of the upper 2
sections with 2 X 4's.  If the tower cables were to shear while you were on
an erected tower, the physical damage to you would be severe.

Larry-K9IQ

On Thu, Sep 7, 2023 at 3:16 PM Larry Schulman <k9iqbikes at gmail.com> wrote:

> Rob:
>
> I don't have a solution for you, but once you get this resolved, you might
> want to consider getting the Tasjian/Tri-Ex tilt-over jig.  I owned the
> same tower and was able to easily service the antennas and rotator 8 feet
> from the ground. If you do consider purchasing the correct tilt-over jig,
> make sure you review the tower distance to other objects and the base
> orientation.  The diagrams on the Tashjian site shows that the tower pivots
> at an elevation 8 feet above the ground.  I have one that I could offer
> you, but it is in the Chicago area.  Sorry I can't be of more help.
>
> Larry-K9IQ
>
> On Thu, Sep 7, 2023 at 2:37 PM JON ZAIMES via TowerTalk <
> towertalk at contesting.com> wrote:
>
>> I would brace it. I use three kayak tie-down straps or a couple of
>> https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-mastlock
>> > 73/Jon
>> >
>> > Jon P. Zaimes, AA1K
>> > Tower climber for hire
>> > Felton, Delaware
>> >
>> > http://www.aa1k.us/
>> > Cell: 302-632-2353
>> >
>> > Reviews of AA1K tower work on eham website:
>> http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12922
>> >
>> > Hug your favorite tower every day, and always stay connected to it.
>> >
>>
>>
>> > On Sep 6, 2023, at 3:48 AM, Rob <Rob at drumon.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi Group,
>> >
>> >   I need to replace the TailTwister rotor. It is about 3 feet down from
>> the top. My antenna stack consists of a 20 foot 2" CM mast with a 4 element
>> SteppIR at about 15" above the top plate with a 13 element 2m beam up
>> several feet and topped with a 27 element 70cm beam which weigh very
>> little. So most of the weight is the mast and SteppIR which I figure is
>> around 200 pounds. To replace the rotor, I need to lift the mast up a
>> couple inches to lift it off the top of the rotor.
>> > There are 2 plates at the top of the LM354 spaced about 6" apart tied
>> together with a 6" tube that the mast slides through and is slightly larger
>> in diameter than the 2" mast so it is fairly snug.
>> >   So my question is that if I were to pull up the mast, and removing
>> the rotor clamp, will the 6" tube be rigid enough to keep the stack from
>> leaning too far from vertical? My hope is that since the majority of the
>> weight is near the top of the tower, there is not an excessive amount of
>> force to want to tilt it over. Is that what this tube is designed for?
>> >   Or is this not strong enough and I need to design a temporary bracket
>> of some sort or maybe nylon straps around the mast and each leg just above
>> the rotor to keep it centered?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > Rob K6DQ
>> >
>> > it won't want to
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> >
>> >
>> >
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