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| Reviews Summary for NN4ZZ TiltPlate |
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Reviews: 7
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $750
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Description: Antenna maintenance from the ground. Tired of climbing ladders to work on your Yagi antenna? The typical HF Yagi has a boom and element lengths of about 30 feet. Even with a tilt-over tower, it’s impossible to tilt the antenna all the way to the ground. To access all points of your antenna, scaffolding or a 16 foot ladder is needed. The TiltPlate is an antenna tilting mechanism that works with a tilt-over tower to bring the antenna all the way down to ground level. No cables or locks are needed: gravity does all of the work.
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More info: http://www.nn4zz.com
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K3BZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 12, 2009 14:39
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An essential safety item for those who don't climb.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I finally got my SteppIR 4 element yagi in the air, mounted on NN4ZZ TiltPlate S/N 001 with KarLock option, and I remain very favorably impressed with its high quality and usefulness, from the standpoint of safety as well as convenience. If you have a tilt-over tower because you don't climb, if you're worried about a fall from even a stepladder height, if you want the convenience of working on your antenna at waist level.... the TiltPlate is what you want. It's not cheap, but it's well worth the price. It's built like a tank. And it makes working on your antenna a pleasure rather than a chore. The KarLock option to prevent the antenna rocking over too far is worthwhile if you experience higher level winds at your QTH. I've had my antenna tilted over to work on several times over recent months and the TiltPlate remains high on my list of essential hardware, especially for safety reasons. Al NN4ZZ has done a fine job and has a winner here.
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KG6LQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 4, 2008 07:02
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Top Notch!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought a telescopic, foldover tower (MA850) so I wouldn't have to climb a tower to work on it. However, it didn't resolve the issue of the 4 ele SteppIR, which has 18' hollow fiberglass poles on either side of the boom. That meant I would need a large ladder to work on both the tower and the antenna. Not a desireable situation. I was pointed to NN4ZZ's website by my buddy Pete (N4KW) and found the solution; I immediately bought serial #16 (Pete bought #17). The TiltPlate uses extreme engineering, with high quality components and precise NC machine manufacture. Lubrication of the bearing is accomplished with lube nipples. It's a true work of art and a beauty to behold. Functionally it's basically a stout, high quality hinge that uses gravity to smoothly maintain a near horizontal attitude as the tower is erected from horizontal to vertical. Installation was a breeze, working at waist level. No need for another pair of hands to hold anything. Establishing the correct boom angle to ensure a level antenna position when the tower is erect was accomplished by ensuring the tower was level to ground and then rotating the boom until the SteppIR motor drive housing was exactly vertical to the tower. I was pleased that it worked the first time up, since I have to hand crank the tower from ground. I've yet to test it in high winds, but I'm sure the TiltPlate will easily survive any reasonable test. The TiltPlate will be around long after I'm gone! Pictures available at http://www.freewebs.com/delmo2/ (click on BOOM PLATE CHANGE). Many thanks to Al for a great design and solution to many issues!
73
Del
KG6LQ
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KF7GC
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Rating: 5/5
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May 4, 2008 20:08
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Outstanding
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Al was right on with this Idea. I bought one early from him with serial number 010. It was packed and shipped very well. I installed the tilplate on a 6 foot extended mast on a TX-455 Tower. I then stood on the ground and installed a Steppir 4 EL/40-30. It went on very easy. I used the angle of the tilt in the tower from the ground to give me my angle for boom offset. I then installed the motors at right angles to the tower tilt and when it was up, it was perfect. If you don't want to climb towers any more and have a tilt over tower, you need this very much. The antenna has with-stood 47 mph winds so far and is working just fine. Thanks Al for a great Idea and outstanding product. Pics available kf7gc@arrl.net
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I1ODP
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 17, 2008 21:48
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A brilliant idea so I homebrewed one
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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It is more and more difficult to find friends that can help you to do the regular maintenance of your antenna. Al,NN4ZZ was very kind helping me to build my own Tilt-Plate. So mounting alone my 3 el Steppir at my summer QTH was a piece of cake having the elements parallel to ground, sitting on a chair and sipping my cup of tea!!!
For larger antennas I suggest to use a direct rotor mount "slipp-not" version and a suitable heavy duty rotor like Yaesu G-2800DXA.
My Create collapsed on 4 el + 30/40 trombone at my home QTH.
THANKS AL.
Paul, i1odp
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W8UDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 15, 2008 13:16
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Unit 007
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I remember the very first ham radio purchase I ever made; a brand new Hallicrafters S38-C receiver. I was filled with wonder every time I put on a headset, turned it on, and watched the tubes glow. I just received Tilt Plate 007 from UPS. Upon inspection of this wondrous assembly, I felt a recurrence of that same awe and wonder. Well, yes, there was a tire tread mark on the shipping carton, where someone had driven over the box. Probably with a fork lift. No problem. Al did a super job in wrapping this monster device with bubble wrap. It will be a while until it hits the top of my new tower. However, as previous reviewers have stated, the obvious fit and finish are far beyond my expectations. In addition, it looks to be very capable of handling the load I intend to put on it. I am an engineer and I love to see devices that are over-engineered. I will have no trepidation about installing the tower and four element SteppIr right up and close to the house. Well done Al. Many thanks for removing some huge roadblocks for this old guys climbing abilities.
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K3BZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 15, 2008 11:41
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This is one heavy-duty piece of equipment!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just received standard TiltPlate Serial No. 001 and I'm very impressed with the heft and solid strength of the item. It appears that Al NN4ZZ has done a fine job of design and engineering, as well as construction. All the components appear to be first-class, top-quality. If Al has made any compromises, I sure can't see them. I won't be putting the TiltPlate in service until May, and I'll report further then, but from the look of the TiltPlate, I don't anticipate any problems.
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K6KAR
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 13, 2008 08:42
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Outstanding
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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TiltPlate (serial #4) was just delivered. My first impression is WOW! The fit and finish far exceed my expectations. This is a work of art! As soon as the WX clears, I will tilt the HDX-472MDL and for the last time, climb on a ladder to remove one side of the SteppIR 4EL. From that moment on, it will be easy to do tower and antenna work. Al, NN4ZZ, you not only created a fine piece of craftsmanship, you've made a major contribution to amateur radio. The safety factor of having a TiltPlate installed is worth the price alone. Many thanks.
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