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Re: [TowerTalk] Choice of aluminum

To: "TexasRF@aol.com" <TexasRF@aol.com>, "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Choice of aluminum
From: Rudy Bakalov <r_bakalov@yahoo.com>
Reply-to: Rudy Bakalov <r_bakalov@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2012 16:04:08 -0700 (PDT)
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Gerald,

Thanks for the comprehensive answer. I didn't realize that 6061-T6 is more 
expensive than 6063 as I was looking online prices in chunks of 12 and 24'.

Just for kicks I prices a 4-Square set of verticals made of 24' sections of 3", 
2.5", and 2.0", 0.25" wall thickness. $2,300 delivered for the set. Doesn't 
look that bad compared to dealing with towers and tower crews.


Rudy N2WQ


________________________________
 From: "TexasRF@aol.com" <TexasRF@aol.com>
To: r_bakalov@yahoo.com; towertalk@contesting.com 
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2012 6:36 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Choice of aluminum
 

Hi Rudy, 6061-T6 aluminum has a yield strength rating the same as 6063-T832 
that is sold by Texas Towers and others.
 
The 6061-T6 costs more than 6063-T832 because of the extra 
heating/quenching steps needed to reach the rated yield strength. 6063-T832 
reaches the rated yield strength by work hardening the material in the drawing 
process.
 
If you want a self supporting vertical, then you would need to go through 
the same process as designing a 80 meter beam element with most of the material 
weight left out of the calculations. Just as a guess I would expect the bottom 
section to be about 4" diameter with a .25" wall.
 
This is not a trivial structure! Please proceed with caution!
 
If you want a guyed vertical, there are a number of them that have been on 
the air long enough to think about duplicating one. W5UN is one that comes to 
mind.
 
73,
Gerald K5GW
 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 10/13/2012 4:09:30 P.M. Central Daylight Time, 
r_bakalov@yahoo.com writes:
I was  wondering if anyone can help me select the right material for full-size 
80m  verticals. My questions are as follows:
>
>1) metalsupermarkets.com offers 
  6061-T6 aluminum, but not T8. Is there a difference between T6 and T8 for my 
  purpose?
>2) Should go for the 0.125 or 0.065 wall thickness?
>3) Is 1" 
  tubing OK for the topmost segment? Too stiff for the wind at 70'? Not strong 
  enough?
>
>
>I am aware that many ham stores offer 6061-T8 tubing, but I 
  do want to buy it local in VE3, close to my QTH, in 12' lengths (instead of 
  6') and avoid shipping complications due to length or clearing 
  customs.
>
>73 Rudy 
  N2WQ
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