After a very slow and methodical assembly, the new MonstIR is at the
top of my 72 foot, Tristao, free-standing, motorized crank up, tower.
So far everything appears to be working according to specifications.
I went with the direct mount Tilt-Plate, (# 002), and the Orion
rotor, with a Green Heron controller.
The only glitch, and it is a fairly serious one, occurred as I was
extending the tower to its full height. Just as the tower extended to
its maximum height, I heard a loud pop and saw gear oil coming from
the end of the motorized cable windlass gearbox. It appears that one
of the worm gear shaft bearings was destroyed and I am now looking at
a very difficult and delicate procedure to repair it, if possible.
The problem being, I have to maintain the tower at its fully extended
height, secure the cable sustaining all of the vertical load weight
so I can unspool the balance of the cable off the windlass and remove
the entire gear box and unit for examination and possible repair.
Somehow I need to take the load off of the windlass and secure it to
another snatch point so I can effect the repair. I think a very
stout "come along" will handle the load, but I need some advice on
how to grasp the very taut cable in such a manner that whatever I use
won't slip or slide on the cable, but won't weaken or degrade it
either. There must be some sort of device that I can find that will
do the trick. I will make a proper, stout anchor and secure it to the
base bolts and use the come along to hold the load. The only other
viable, but very expensive option, I can think of, is to hire a big
boom bucket truck to come out so I can block each tower section so it
won't move south and take the pressure off of the cable. Right now it
seems I cannot even hand turn the gear box, so it is a serious
problem. I want to think this through carefully. The antenna is up so
I don't have to bring anything down in a hurry, but I do want to
effect the repair, safely and successfully.
The tilt plate was a dream, but getting the proper angle set, was a
trial and error process that necessitated cranking and tilting the
tower over three times. I am glad for the help of my big brother,
Chuck, W6AJW, and great friend, Bill, K6DUY.
I still have lots to learn about the MonstIR, but I worked a SM5 on
40 meters the other night with 50 W, so it does work.
Sorry for the bandwidth, and though this is slightly off topic, I
would appreciate some sage, (kind), advice from the
assembled multitude.
VY 73, Tommy, W6IJ
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Read reviews on AOL Autos.
(http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017
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