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Author Topic: Towable manlift as antenna mast?  (Read 243 times)

AC1OJ

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Towable manlift as antenna mast?
« on: January 27, 2023, 07:24:04 AM »

I have searched this subject, no hits.
If you know of any posts of someone doing this please let me know.
My idea:
I have a 55' towable manlift. I'm wondering about clamping an antenna mast to the operator basket and using the lift as the "tower".
I think I should isolate the mast from the lift and run a robust grounding line directly to earth;
I'm concerned about RF getting into the manlift circuitry and causing damage; the manlift controls are all digital/computerized. Maybe I should disconnect the manlift battery grounds when transmitting to further isolate the manlift circuitry?
I'd have three lines running up to the basket, RF coax, ground, and rotor control.
(I could just rotate the manlift without a rotor but I'd have to leave the radio shack to do it.)
Your suggestions appreciated. Thanks in advance.


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K5LXP

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Re: Towable manlift as antenna mast?
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2023, 08:42:19 AM »

At my former employer we used a couple of manlifts for moveable equipment stations at a test track.  Not nearly as tall as yours, but worked great as something we could locate the fixed equipment into with antenna arrays and maneuver/raise/lower as needed.

Can't speak to EMI/RFI, our stuff was "QRP" power levels.  I wouldn't be too concerned about damage but it would be simple enough to disable the unit to prevent any undesired operation.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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W7CXC

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Re: Towable manlift as antenna mast?
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2023, 08:42:39 AM »

Seem to recall someone using a 35' during recent field day? Not much help but has been done.
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KL7CW

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Re: Towable manlift as antenna mast?
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2023, 12:06:13 PM »

I used a manlift perhaps 50 or 60 years ago for a few field day outings.  Think it may have been about 50 feet high.  No issues, except make sure you are on firm ground, and outriggers and/or guy wires may be indicated, especially with large antenns snd/or wind.  It feels very squirley up there.  Nothing was digital back then so no RFI issues.  Use caution, these things can and do tip over so exercise caution and hopefully have someone with knowledge instruct or be on the site for the set up.
                 Rick  KL7CW
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W3SLK

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Re: Towable manlift as antenna mast?
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2023, 07:24:30 AM »

A 'man lift' or 'high reach', (what we called them when I worked), should be ok. However you need to realize that there is a load rating on the platform/basket. I never used the 'towable' ones but they didn't seem to be as robust as the 45' and 70' Genies or JLG's we would use. Unless it is totally electric, there shouldn't be any problems in an RF field especially if it is up in the air. All of them can run remote from the ground, which disables the basket controls. Maybe I would unplug the AC extension that runs to the basket if you have an onboard generator.
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