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Re: [TowerTalk] Low Cost 20 Foot Mast

To: David Gilbert <ab7echo@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Low Cost 20 Foot Mast
From: Kelly Taylor <ve4xt@mymts.net>
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2020 17:30:19 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
There’s a really interesting blog post out there that is probably only a quick 
Google session away. It basically made the case that PVC is a total nightmare 
EVEN for just wire antennas, let alone anything requiring an az-el rotator. 

In short order, the guy’s mast resembled cooked spaghetti, and then fractured 
shortly after. 

73, kelly, ve4xt 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 24, 2020, at 17:00, David Gilbert <ab7echo@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> PVC is a really, really bad idea.  PVC can "cold flow" over time and there is 
> very little chance it will hold much weight very long no matter what you do 
> to support it.
> 
> I agree with Jim Lux ... 4 inch irrigation tubing is lightweight and pretty 
> strong, and Rain-for-Rent is a national chain that often has used stuff for 
> sale.   The biggest issue would be how to securely mount your rotators to it 
> since the wall is pretty thin.
> 
> Best bet, though, is probably a couple of narrow tower sections ... like six 
> inch or eight inch cross section.  Ask around and I'd bet somebody has some 
> they'd be willing to part with.  Or even look for somebody who had a similar 
> tower for a TV antenna but no longer uses it.
> 
> 73,
> Dave  AB7E
> 
> 
> 
>> On 10/24/2020 1:06 PM, Tony wrote:
>> All:
>> 
>> I'm looking for a low-cost 20 foot mast that can handle a modest 2 meter EME 
>> setup. The mast will be cemented in place and attached to the side of a 9 
>> foot tall shed for support. I can't anchor guy wires to the ground, but I 
>> can run a couple to the shed.
>> 
>> The challenge is home brewing something that can handle the weight of the 
>> azimuth and elevation rotors mounted at the top so the mast.
>> 
>> I thought of threaded galvanized pipe sections, but they are a bit pricey. 
>> Also thought of 2 inch schedule 40 PVC with some kind of internal support to 
>> make it more rigid.
>> 
>> Any suggestions?
>> 
>> Tony
>> 
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