[MRCA] Tubular Cable Driven Mobile Tower

Mon Nov 4 12:02:13 EST 2013

Ken,

I’ve looked inside and out for markings and the photos have the whole story.

I’m wondering if this was made by a German firm as part of the “spread the
wealth” efforts that NATO countries demanded.  In other words, have them
make the masts for U.S. vehicles.  

Thanks!

J. Gordon Beattie, Jr.

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AT&T Business & Network Solutions IT

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From: Ken Downs [mailto:krtdowns at myfairpoint.net] 
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 7:01 AM
To: J.Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT
Cc: mrca at mailman.qth.net; BEATTIE JR., GORDON
Subject: Re: [MRCA] Tubular Cable Driven Mobile Tower

Back in the late 1980's when I retired from the U.S. Army we were phasing
out the Hawk air defense missile system and moving to the Patriot system.
The Hawk and its predecessors used lots and lots of cables to link the
various radars and missile launchers with the control van. With Patriot, all
the cables disappeared, replaced by RF data links. The various launchers,
control van, and radar were all linked wirelessly, and each of these had a
vehicle-mounted mast to support the data antenna. I believe our masts were
pneumatic, but I may be wrong. Anyway, Germany and other NATO countries now
have Patriot systems too, built somewhat differently from ours, using
military vehicles of their design. Perhaps that is where your mast
originated. Just an educated guess. Look for the word "Luftwaffe" on the
mast. The Germans put their air defense missiles in their air force; ours
are in the army. "FlAb" ("Flug Abwehr" - air defense) might be there too.
These markings might not make it down to an antenna support system, but it's
worth a look.

Ken, W1KRT

On Nov 3, 2013, at 11:22 PM, J.Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT wrote:

Hi Folks!

I have a cable-driven military tower that is 20+ feet in length when
extended, but it has no markings except in German.  They are purely
directional labels with words like, “Auf” stamped on the side of the drive
mechanism.  

The tower has an internal cable drive system and a gearbox that was
originally motorized.  When I got it, I had a ½ ratchet drive welded onto
the shaft.  It is really cool, to be able to raise and lower a tower in
about two minutes of easy ratcheting!

It seems that it was mounted through a roof.  There is a mounting ring at
the top of the base section where there are the remains of a rubber gasket.

I have never been able to find another one and would love to see what it
will cost me if I ever want to have another on a vehicle.

Anyone have any thoughts as to what it is and where it was used?   

Thanks & 73,

Gordon Beattie, W2TTT

201.314.6964

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