Ron,
I have a MARB770MDP and I live in Arizona. The wind storms can come up
rather quickly and unannounced here. All I have on there is a Mosely TA33
right now and even with this smaller antenna the tower will sway somewhat
with 20-25 MPS winds. If the alarm on my weather station goes off at 20 MPH,
I always lower the tower a bit to make it stronger (or if I am away for a
few days).
All of the MA Series crank-up Tubular Towers have always been rated at 10 sq
feet @ 50 mph winds as far as I know. I would like to think that your
SteppIR with the 30/40 should be fine if you exercise caution. All of the
accessories are a must including the motor drive and remote so that you can
react quickly if need be. I cannot imagine raising or lowering it with a
hand wench.
I figure that the 3L SteppIR with the 30/40 option is about the biggest
thing I could put up there and hope to do some day. The NN4ZZ Tilt Plate (or
the version in QST years ago from my buddy, Ken, N9KS (QST, Mar 2000, pp
60-61)) would make working on your beam much more agreeable. I still can
reach my little antenna from a ladder. I never enjoyed climbing towers, even
when I was younger.
I agree with many folks that US Tower doesn't have the greatest manuals or
support but they have gone out of their way to help me when I had a problem,
they actually gave me a new tower! I really like my tower, I will never
climb again. GL with whatever tower you select!
Steve WU9B
on 9/10/09 12:30 PM, w4lde at w4lde@numail.org wrote:
> I was getting ready to order the US Tower MARB-550 55ft tubular tower
> and first decided to look once again at the US Tower WEB site for ratings.
>
> US Tower has updated there web site and now has new HAM tower
> brochures. The Tubular towers (550) now only show a 10sq' rating based
> on 50MPH.
>
> My plan is to mount a SteppIR 3-element with the 30/40 meter kit which
> runs about 8 sq'. I am in a 70MPH zone.
>
> I check out several catalogs online one being Texas Towers and they
> still show that same 9 sq' rating at 70mph and 22sq' at 50mph.
>
> The base is poured but so be it if I have to change.
>
> I am getting up in years and my climbing days are over, I was also
> planning on the tilt over accessory from US Tower.
>
> I have looked at the Aluma tower crank up and with guys is rated at
> 80mph at 25sq ft. Its also available with a tilt over base.
>
> If there was a way to guy the MARB I would feel much safer? To go with
> the Aluma is a 40% add but maybe worth the money in the long run.
>
> If a tilt over assembly was available through US Tower for the TX or
> the HXD series then I would go that route. Not shown on web site. Also
> the TX and HXD are now rated at 50mph but I would have enough safety
> margin with either at 70mph.
>
> Need to get on with it before the next solar cycle comes and goes hi
> hi. Any advice or comments are welcomed.
>
> 73 de
> Ron W4LDE
>
>
>
>
>
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