Yeah i think i my bolt hole was perhaps too big, but i really dont remember now, it was about 15 years ago and knowing me the aerial was more than likely too heavy for the setup anyway, I know
i have a beam and rotator at the same house but cat remember if it was this i was using at the time
or the Antron 99, my memory is pants lol, i got a feeling the beam came later…
Gentlemen,
How about an aluminum flagpole like this: http://www.united-states-flag.com/cpecss20s.html? Would that work?
Here’s a list of some of their flagpoles and the rated windspeed: Flagpoles 20ft | Order Now – Fast, Free Shipping!.
Thanks,
Dan.
For a 20ft. pole, I think that is pretty expensive. What about this one?http://www.united-states-flag.com/20flostbr.html
Bill,
That guy is rated for 71mph. We don’t get really high winds that often, but I was hoping for a bit more “headroom”.
My real question has more to do with using a flagpole in general. I’m not sure if I’ve seen anyone mention using a flagpole as a mast. With their tapered cross-section, I thought they might be just the ticket. OTOH, there might be some less obvious downsides.
Regards,
Dan.
But that’s 71mph with a big flag on the top, that’s not at all the same situation as the little anemometer. The obvious downside of tapered is that you would have to shim the clamp to get the device level. The shipping charges will kill the deal on something like this, try for a local source, should be no problem where you are. If all else fails try home depot etc. for top fence rail, not aluminum but would work for this purpose, or even walmart.
Niko,
I’ll check the local Walmart. Also, after some searching around, I found a local place that carries flagpoles. I’ll give them a call tomorrow.
Regarding the tapering, it looks like they typically have a bottom diameter of 3" and a top of 2". Assuming that it’s a constant taper, that means the taper is about 1/32" over a six" span. I wonder if there’s that much compression in the Anemometer mounting.
Of course there’s still the issue wf getting the little sucker lined up properly when it’s 20 feet in the air. Oh, well… One issue at a time.
Regards,
Dan.
1/32 at the top of the pole isn’t going to be a problem :lol:
I don’t think we asked the question, but I hope there aren’t any power line issues.
yes, do be careful… I wouldn’t want you to win a Darwin Award…
Excellent question! Fortunately the answer is no! Nothing overhead but blue sky… And a few trees nearby. 
Thanks,
Dan.
I just looked at one of the 20’ flag poles at a local fair last weekend. It was an one that extended by having three sections inside the main pole. Very easy to raise and lower. The wind was about 20 mph and the pole moved quite a bit with a 3X5 flag attached. Most likely it would be fine for just the anemometer.
You will loose between 2-3 feet in height due to mounting it into a sleeve concreted into the ground.
They had it on special for $259.00 which included a top cap/ball, all the flag mounting hardware and two flags. Normal price was $359.
–Dave
Dave,
This confirms some information that I’ve been able to find out. Some poles are a single piece and some are 2-5 pieces. It appears that a typical 20’ pole is actually 22 feet long - 20 feet above ground and 2 feet in the ground. Also, it appears that a key issue is quality. One reviewer I read on Amazon said that he liked his 5-section flagpole (with flag), but it wasn’t straight. I might have to get a fixed pole.
Also, last night, I shot my roof with a self leveling laser. It looks like the peak of the roof is 8 feet above the planter on which the mast would be mounted (see munrobaggins post here: http://discourse.weather-watch.com/p/269747).
To get the anemometer 8 feet above the roof peak, that means that unsupported mast would have to be 16 feet. Therefore, the part that extended down the planter would be 6 feet long (22 feet minus 16 feet). So there should be excellent support.
Overall, I think baggins’ design is the best and easiest to mount, with solid support at the base. With 16 feet unsupported, I’m hoping for minimal sway in the mast.
Thanks and regards,
Dan.
For several years my anemometer was installed on my roof with a roof tripod and a 10’ and a 5’ section of antenna mast.
No guy wires. So it was roughly 13’ unsupported.
It handled 50-60 mph winds numerous times with no issues.
looney2ns,
Interesting point… Where did you get your masts? Brand? Size of tubing?
Thanks,
Dan.
Radio Shack…they were standard TV antenna masts.
And I take that back, it also had a scanner antenna mounted to it about 6 feet off the roof as well as the anemometer.
Here is the descrip from RS website.
Mighty Mast
This mast is great for your heavy-duty jobs. Built with sturdy construction, the 10-foot, 16-gauge steel with its 1
looney2ns,
Thanks! I’ll check 'em out!
Regards,
Dan.
Dan, The 10’ mast that Looneytoons listed is the same one that I am using. However, I have TWO 10’ masts connected together, and using the RadioShack tripod mount at the peak of my roof. It has only seen winds of 49 MPH so far, but it seems pretty sturdy. I p[lan on extending it another 10’ and adding guy wires to it.
Bill
I plan on going to Radio Shack tomorrow and maybe get some new masts for myself. The ones that I have are not in the greatest shape. I will probably get 2 10’ masts and I will put guy wire on as well.
Chuck
Bill,
How did you connect the masts? Press fit? Some sort of clamps?
Chuck,
Are your masts similar to the Radio Shack masts? What is your configuration?
Thanks,
Dan.
See this thread where I posted about a nice telescopic mast…