Why install a rotator at the base of the tower? 

Thanks Chris. 73.

Hi, there is zero stress at the rotor. The rotor was the last part installed on the system. At the top, supporting the mast there are two thrust bearings. One in the top plate as usual, and the other in the second plate where the rotor was originally. These two supporting the mast and the antennas. At the middle of the tower there is a third thrust bearing hanging from three hooks attached to the sides of the tower where the two sections of the tower bolt together, that is where is double thickness. That third bearing supports the aluminium tubes that "hangs" from there. The rotor was attached to the tube at that point and the tube is not even touching the flat end of the rotor. I hope that clears the details for you. Thanks for watching!

Hi, the coaxial cables go tied up to the 3 corners of the tower. Depending on the flexibility of the coaxial it can go either directly connected to the antenna or a more flexible coaxial can be used on the last stretch. To prevent them to tangle the rotators do not spin freely. They only spin from 0 to 360 degrees (one turn) or 0 to 450 degrees (1 1/4 turn) Finally there is a big loop hanging from the end of the tower and the antenna that allows enough movement and prevents tangling, see at 2:00 - Thanks for watching

I placed the pipes parallel to the tower, I stand on the roof of my house that is about 1/2 height of the tower, my son inserted the pipes a little below me in the tower and then I raised them until they were completely inside the tower, then I lowered the bottom pipe section and raise the top pipe section. They flex a little bit so it wasn't hard and they didn't bent at all. I hooked the top section first to the mast, then the bottom section in the middle, and to the rotator at the end when I went down. I've used a gin pole for raising the tower only. The rest of the stuff was pretty light and easy to raise. Good luck with your tower project and thanks for watching! 73

@@VA3HDL many thanks! I located my dish, it would fit… Spring project! Best wishes! Denis

Yes they are. The top two (main mast) were assembled on the ground prior to raise to the top of the tower. The middle one in the tower was also assembled and leveled on the ground. The final geometrical adjustment was done during the final install. 73

Correct, everything is aluminum, except the tower and the base of the rotator. 73 de VA3HDL

Hi Jay, tilt hinge plate was my first preference but due to size lot limitations I couldn't fit the tilted tower in any direction. 40 ft aluminium mast not only would be expensive but also a lot heavier. The tubing I've used is much thinner than the mast section at the top and the piece coupling into the rotator. The wind load varies depending on the model of the tower. I reinstalled in the exactly same way that it was installed before with the previous owner (same antennas.) They only difference is I placed the rotator at the base. Thanks for watching and commenting! 73

@@VA3HDL what kind of alum tubing is it ?

@@JayN4GO All details posted on my website here www.va3hdl.com/projects/antenna-supporting-structure/part-6-rotor-and-axle

Hi Filipe, it should not be any big difference in torque due to the location. The shaft is aluminum and is very light. Also the shaft is hanging from the top on three thrust bearings and not resting over the rotator. 73

Great idea!

Thanks for the feedback.

How? It has 3 thrust bearings, 2 on the mast, and one in the middle. The rotator was attached to the axle while the axle was hanging, so it is not supported at all by the rotator. Did you watch the video or just commented? Thanks!

Thrust bearing can handle that