In a message dated 4/22/2007 7:11:18 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> Frank,
> Are you saying the Orion has a basic design flaw that no amount of
strengthening or improvement will correct? If so, please elaborate.
Did you miss my recent 4-20 Orion post where I spelled out exactly
what the design flaws were? Here it is again:
> It's an Orion design flaw, the mast clamp has 2 problems. First, the
surface where the nuts and bolts seat are dimpled - not flat. Over time,
the
wind motion causes the washers to pound the dimples flat, thus loosening up
the
nuts; then the mast is loose and starts moving. The problem can be
eliminated
by milling or grinding those surfaces flat.
> Secondly only 2-3 teeth per surface of the clamp actually contact the
mast,
resulting in very little clamping. Then you get the teeth being worn down
as
the mast moves back and forth and it loosens some more.
> You can re-tighten everything and it'll probably be good for a couple of
years. For a 4L SteppIR, you can also pin the mast. Pinning works for
everything except a MonstIR which tends to shear them off.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH
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