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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