Oh yes, I agree. I tend to leave my various needles cranked down because
I am a coward. (I have a couple of custom square steel tubing needles
that are a bit heavier than the MA550 and I crank them down most of the
time too.)
If I ever manage to find a TriEx Skyneedle I might leave it up with a 4
element SteppIR, but NOT this MA550. It is too light.
I find that for casual hamming the SteppIR's seem to work pretty well at
20-30 feet. For a contest I might crank it up if it were mild out.
I never leave home with the needle up. Even to go to work.
However for another view of the matter visit: www.qsl.net/oz5u Stig has
a ton of load on his MA770 and it is windy in Denmark, I have been
there.
Cheers,
Kim - K7IM
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Karlquist [mailto:richard@karlquist.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 3:56 PM
To: Kim Bottles
Cc: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Rotator for MA550
The real issue is probably:
Is the MA550 strong enough for the Yagi when the wind blows?
I just bought a 2 element SteppIR for my
MA-550. I also have a 4 element SteppIR
at another QTH on a lattice tower turned by an AlfaSpid.
I wouldn't want to put the 4 element on the MA-550 unless I was going to
crank it down in high winds.
I used to have a KT34 on the MA550 and a HAM-M
turned it with no problem. I didn't leave it up
in high winds. I remember that the antenna would
slip on the mast in high winds, so the HAM-M never
really got much of a workout. The rotating base
structure is specifically designed for the HAM-M
through HAM-IV rotators, as you can probably figure
out if you look at it.
I have 20 year old UBC calcs for the MA-550 and it certainly isn't rated
for much antenna area at 70 MPH.
Rick N6RK
Kim Bottles said:
> Gentlemen,
>
> I just picked up a used MA550 with rotating base. Is the Ham IV strong
> enough to turn this thing? I will be putting my 4 element SteppIR (10
> Square feet WL, 80 pounds) on it.
>
> What rotator is the "best" solution that will fit the rotating base
> fixture?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kim Bottles - K7IM
>
> Ps. Does anyone have a manual for this MA550 that they would be
> willing to copy for me? (I have the drawing from US Tower's website,
> but if there is any other information that came with it originally, I
> would like to see what it has to say. Thanks again.)
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers",
> "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free,
> 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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