Jerry, you have opened up Pandora's Box.
This subject has been discussed over and over again on the reflector.
While I just came back on the reflector yesterday from several years of
absence, I recall this issue from about three years ago.
Anyway, my opinion - Never install aluminum vertically (towers), just
horizontally (antennas). Lots of reasons why. It is a serious risk you are
worried about losing the tower and any antennas on it. It's more
serious if there are houses, cars, people within any drop-zone around the
tower.
Aluminum tower owners will differ...
Bill, N3RR
----- Original Message -----
From: Jerry Keller <dxdog@rcn.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 6:37 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Steel Towers vs. Aluminum Towers
> I would guess that the simple reason I've never heard of a steel yagi is
> that although steel is strong, it's too heavy. Aluminum is weaker in some
> ways, but also lighter. Considering the trade-offs, apparently aluminum is
> usually the better choice for antennas. Apparently it's not the same in
> comparing towers.
>
> Unless I'm imagining things, there seems to be a general feeling on the
> reflector that there's a seriously significant risk of fatigue failure in
> aluminum towers as opposed to steel. My questions are:
>
> (a) How serious is this risk? Have many actual failures have occurred?
>
> (b) What are the practical variables that govern this risk?
>
> (c) Any practical steps that will minimize or lessen this risk, and extend
> failure time?
>
> I wouldn't understand a scholarly dissertation (although if I could, I
know
> I could find one here!) but if anyone has some practical answers to this,
it
> would help me make my tower decision.
>
> TIA for your help, Jerry K3MGT
>
>
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