[Lowfer] Eric's LF Vert

[Peter Barick]

>>> eric@willow.nutstreet.net 03/17/03 03:34PM >>>
>Also, I forgot to answer one of Peter's questions ...
> how the tophat is actually attached to the mast. ...
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Ok, Eric,

FB all around. Yes, once you mentioned the pvc flange I understood. A
flange is the way to go when using the pvc pipe, cheep too.

I been planning a vert for the warmer months and, of course, erecting
in day light hours  :-)  and have resolved the following:

1. Build it upright to begin with. This eliminates the "tower raising
dance" unwittingly performed for neighbor's amusement/awe. (Although
some may remember in summer LowDown that vertical raising by BA, where
he used a ground mounted gin pole w/ several sets of pulleys for
single-handed raising.) The way my idea would go is to first erect a
high enough platform from which one could extend, telescope style, the
mast-tubing vertical w/ tophat. The platform need only be two 4x4s maybe
20 feet tall w/ a top horizontal piece upon which a ladder is braced.
First the two 20 feet telescoped (3" + 2.5") are raised and rested to
the platform. Next the noble LF opr climbs to top, extends inner pipe
and attaches, say 20-30 foot top hat.  ;-)   That section is fully
extended and guys are attached as extended up as needed. This method
avoids tube bending and a bunch of guy holders (wife, brother-in-law,
neighbors kids ...) for the "big dance." Sounds do-able, huh?

2. Top hat spokes: Instead of crossing them and having to shim the
crossed one, bend them as an open hair pin. For the min. of 4 spokes
(more can be accommodated), bending two rods at 45degs  gives two pairs
of spokes that can lie in same plane. Plus it should be possible to
extend the ends a foot or more with tubing for extra outer skirt
length.

3. Another feature of this is having a mounting place for a larger
loading coil mounting up high, somewhere off the 4x4 frame at the 20
foot level. Note, only part of the L need be placed here, the base could
have a smaller portion and the tuning means.

There it is. Feel free to comment or better yet, report how it
did/didn't go up.

Peter