And so it begins

[W2INR]

Winter 2005:

Syracuse NY:

First snow 2005-2006 winter season

[WA3VJB]

So Gary, is this a snow day for you and will you get on the radio ?

[W2INR]

No Snow day here, it takes about 12" of snow to fall in a 12 hour period to shut Syracuse down and even then 80% will go to work. 

You like the new 50ft military AB-577 mast holding up the 6 meter beam?  Heavy duty stuff

[K1JJ]

You like the new 50ft military AB-577 mast holding up the 6 meter beam?  Heavy duty stuff

A Reeal man's mast, indeed!  Fat.

It looks almost like it's at your neighbor's house. No wonder you need 600' of 1 5/8" hardline for the long run.   

BTW, Gary and I made our first Syracuse to Htfd  6M contact the other night using his new HB 5el yagi.   

Congrats on a nice installation, OM.  [And, get used to the snow]

T

[W1RKW]

Woke up to 23 degrees this morning.  Had to scrape the windshield. Too cold too early.  I don't like the look of that white crap. 

[W3SLK]

Hey Gary, how did you  adapt the rotor for the beam? I was considering getting one of those mast but was slightly perplexed at how to mount a rotor. I suspect that is the same system that was sold down at Timonium with the 6' section assembled and lifted via a pallet.

[W2INR]

Yes Mike

This is the 5" in diameter 50 ft mast system that was being sold at Timonium. The person that sells those is just north of Rochester NY.

The mast section connect together. The launcher is used to lift each section up and another section is added under the one you have just lifted up. It took me less than an hour from unpacking the stuff to having it fully installed. I put the entire system up alone.

I built a metal plate that is attached to the mast with large homemade U-biolts made out of steel rod and then I added threads to the ends. The rotor mounts to that plate. It is offset from the mast by 8 inches. You can't see that in the picture.

It works fine.

The big advantage with this system is that it was designed for the military as a portable 50 ft mast. So in my township it does not fall under any of the codes that regulate towers. Towers are considered a permanent structure where this system is not. Time will tell.

The mast is up at 50 ft for now. I am breaking in the neighborhood. Once up for a while with no town officials showing up I will add another 25 ft to the mast for a total height of 75ft.

It is a great system Mike if you are looking for something sweet and easy.

[k3zrf]

You did well hiding the base structure from your view. What kind of windload can the mast syatem take before having to crank it down?

[wb1aij]

Winter 2005:

Syracuse NY:

First snow 2005-2006 winter season

That looks beautiful, both the antenna & the snow. Winter is such a peaceful time of year to be in the woods on C.C. Skis or Snowshoes. It is also a nice time to be on the radio with a cup of hot cocoa or a glass of brandy after being outside all day. The perfume of woodstoves on the cold, fresh air. No mosquitos, gnats,or horseflies, what could be better than this. When more people learn to appreciate these things they won't dread the winter but rather welcome it.

[W2INR]

Hi Dave

I am thinking of moving it a little more to the left so it will blend in to the trees to the left of where it is now. Then I can use the shed for the remote switches and stuff keeping themout of te wx om,

I don't know and well updates to follow on the wind load.

What I  can tell you is the mast section are 5' long and 5" in diameter and the guys are every 20 feet. It will hold a good load. When complete there will be the 2 6 meter beams, 1 tribander for 20 -10 and a 40 meter dipole hanging of the system.

Updates to Follow

[W3SLK]

Gary said:

It is a great system Mike if you are looking for something sweet and easy.

Yes, Ontario Surplus was selling them at Timonium. I saw the antenna that it supports. I would be interested in the plans for the rotor adaptor. I was considering getting one of those a few years ago. I hope they still have some by next year. I have a new 6M beam and wouldn't mind doing some 6M AM if the condition presents itself.

[W2INR]

We had 50-60 mph winds a week ago when that big front moved thru the ast. Never budged

[W2INR]

Mike, Unless you are planningon spinning the whole mast you do not need the top bearing in place. In fact all I use is two middle guy rings. One in  the middle and one at the top. The thing can still be rotated but I intend to use the rotor to move things along.

[W3SLK]

When and if I manage to find one, Gary, I'll pick your brain about it. Now I have something to look forward to Timonium.

[W2INR]

Let me know what I can do