[Antennas] which way the wind blows

[dtx]

Good question...I'd vote boom pointed into the wind.  Now, what is more 
likely to "fail"....the boom, the elements or the tower structure?  I do 
not have (even the slightest chance of getting) an HF beam where I live, 
so I don't have any idea of boom length vs director length or diameters 
of elements vs boom but I _SUSPECT_ more loading from one long, larger 
diameter boom that 6 smaller elements.  I would also think that for 
gusty winds having the elements flex would spread the instantaneous load 
over a bit of time and soften the impact, a la spring and shock 
absorbers on your car when you hit a bump.

All guesses;  I am a computer programmer<G>

Gary WA6DTX (in Huntington Beach)

John Luthy wrote:

>Hello to all,
>
>My question has to do with protecting my antenna from the wind.
>
>I have read many times that the antenna should be pointed in to the
>wind, and I have seen a rudder on a verry large log that uses a tower
>for a boom.
>
>But on my 6 el. tri bander, I have noticed that I have 6 elements
>exposed to the wind if I do that, however if I put the antenna
>broadside to the wind I only have the boom exposed to the wind. Now I
>know the boom has a larger diameter than the elements. But I am sure
>the sum of the diameters of the elements exceeds the boom.
>
>So here is my question,  Just which way do I aim this thing to keep it
>in the air when the santa anas blow?
>
>John
>N7JL
>Sunny, hot, and windy   So. Cal.
>  
>




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