Re: [amsat-bb] horizontal boom

[k_9qh_o@xxxxxxx]

Dave, 

I've been using a hardwood clothes closet rod from Mennards for about 4 years. It has done well.

I also purchased a fiberglass rod  from Max-Gain Systems. It's still in the garage waiting for the 5500 to show up. I think the total price for the 8 ft. X 1.5in. rod was $39.00 with shipping. You need to check their website at www.mgs4u.com.

There is varied opinions as to a metal cross boom. Maybe someone can point you to the web page about this. I have deleted the hard copy about metal cross booms from the large binder I keep important info and projects in.

GL
Mike
K9QHO
AMSAT 33589

-------------- Original message from Dave NØRQ <n0rq-lists@sbcglobal.net>: -------------- 


> (Thanks to several of you for answering my "rattling" G-5500 question! 
> The consensus was that it is normal and OK.) 
> 
> And since I'm new at this, I'll have a few more questions. Here's one: 
> 
> For the horizontal boom that goes through the elevation portion of the 
> G-5500, what is a reasonable material to use? The specs say it can 
> be between 1 1/4" and 1 5/8". A normal vertical mast is 2" (or more), 
> so getting one of those won't work. What about heavy electrical 
> conduit, say 1 1/2", from Home Depot / Lowes? Perhaps a 10' 
> piece? This stuff is heavy, though I don't know how strong it is. 
> (I don't mean the lightweight thin-walled EMT.) 
> 
> I know a bit about the debate of maybe using fiberglass, and I 
> could do that if it was readily available and reasonably economincal. 
> However, it seems that most folks think that metal is OK, and I 
> was planning to mount the CP antennas so the elements are 
> in an "X" with respect to the boom, instead of a "+" -- thus reducing 
> the interacting. 
> 
> (Oh, I plan to have an M2 70cm CP on one end and an M2 2m CP 
> on the other end.) 
> 
> Suggestions appreciated! 
> 
> - Dave N0RQ 
> ---- 
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