HI Mike,
We have a cement tile roof, so the usual tripod mounting schemes (big wood bolt into the rafters) wouldn't work. I built my own tripod from 2x4 lumber. The base is an upside down "T", with the tail attached to a vent pipe to keep the whole thing from sliding down the roof, and the two sides placed on small blocks with padding under them to to keep from crushing the tiles. The long piece is 8', with a 4' tail. Rising up from the center is another 4' piece, braced to the 3 sides. I attached the steel mast pole to that, with the rotors on top. The base of the rotors is about 6 or 7 feet off the roof, which is low enough that I can reach the wires, and high enough for the beams to clear the roof on vertical passes. I mounted a gutted electrical box at the base of the mast to house some cable relays
Pictures at http://home.jps.net/~gregd/hamsite.htm. The right-most picture on the 4th row shows the tripod.
Good luck with your project,
Greg KO6TH
----Original Message Follows---- From: Michael Wolthuis [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Tripod and G-5500 Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 20:32:04 -0500
I am trying to determine the best way to get a Tripod up on my roof with a G-5500 for AZ/EL. I would appreciate any info the board has on what type of tripod works best and where I can get that. Also, pictures would be VERY helpful. I am trying to decide to split the AZ/EL functions or not, so any insite into how to best make this whole setup work is appreciated.
I look forward the great pictures!
Mike kb8zgl
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