[FieldDay] Mast inside a section of tower

[w8lly at sbcglobal.net]

Him Brian --

I don't want to start a flame war but antennas and towers and masts are
critical elements of FD and our local club has addressed the same problem
several times in the past.  Granted, a rotor is the best approach but is not
always practical for various reasons.

We have let the antenna mast "free-wheel" similar to the suggested 2x4
method--using a rope at each end of the antenna boom to turn the beam.  You
do need something substantial to hold the ropes in place, especially if it's
windy.  A movable guy stake should work--with enough angle on the rope.

Another method we've used is simply running a mast all the way down the
tower and then turning the mast by hand.  You need to make sure the mast
sections are keyed or bolted together at each junction, else what you do on
the ground will not affect the antenna on top.  A couple of years ago, one
of our crew members tried to secure sections of mast with duct tape.  It did
not work!!  The sections slipped and we had no control.  You also need a way
to secure the mast in position after turning it.

Good luck with your FD ops.  Have fun!!

73, Fred W8LLY
Bellbrook (OH) ARC

=================================
Fred Stone
W8LLY at ARRL.net

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-----Original Message-----
From: fieldday-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:fieldday-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Brian K. Gaskamp
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 7:33 PM
To: fieldday at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [FieldDay] Mast inside a section of tower 

I know some of you have done a lot more field days than I have done.
Our group wants to put up a 30ft Rohn tower and have a piece of mast out the

top section abt 10ft to have 2 beam antennas on it.

What's the trick to doing that without having to mess with a rotor?

Or is that even possible.

We want to have it to where it turns freely and have it secured at the 
ground by a piece of rope then whenever we want to move the antennas all we 
have to do is go move the rope and secure it again.

73,
Brian

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