[Antennas] Fasteners

[Ronald KA4INM Youvan]

> I have what may seem to be a dumb question.
 
> My Rohn 25 uses GRAVITY to hold the sections together. 
 
> The upper section telescopes over the lower section by about 10 inches
> (maybe 8 inches). The bolts are installed after the sections are already
> mated. If no bolts are installed, my antenna will still be standing
> because gravity takes the vertical loads, not the bolts. [It is guyed].
 
> My question: What is the purpose of the bolts since they are not load
> bearing elements in the design?


 >> The bolts are load bearing...as the tapers are not precisely aligned.
 >> You might get away with no bolts on a short tower....but not on a taller
 >> 100-300 footer.

   The bolts are not supposed to be load bearing, the bolts cause the
two sections of tubing to grip each other, the outer (upper) leg is
supposed to be squashed oval to accomplish this.  If you don't have
bolts the sections can creep into the one above from time, weight
and vibration and they may not come apart when instructed to do so.
   The design calls for bolts, used bolts.

        73 (= Best Regards) de: Ron ka4inm@tampabay.rr.com
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