| KM1C |
Rating:      |
2012-01-04 | |
| After 1 year and hurricane Irene, still FANTASTIC! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| When I spotted a pop-up ad for the NN4ZZ TiltPlate about two years ago, I realized there was now a product that would allow me to once again have a tower and beams. (After years of multiple tower installations and takedowns, I knew I was done with climbing towers.) I commenced with installing a used, but solid, HDX555 tower and 24' chrome molly mast. The mast now has 3 OptiBeams on it, the OB40-30 at the bottom, an OB9-5 in the middle, and an OB5-6 at the top. One tower, one mast, 3 beams, 2 stackable NN4ZZ TiltPlates. A system offering gain on all bands from 40 through 6 meters. The TiltPlates are utilized on the two larger beams, no TiltPlate is required for the 6 meter beam due to its small size. As a result of the TiltPlates, I was able to build the beams directly on the mast while at ground level, working right at chest height. (I rested the tower on a boating jack stand and supported the mast with another boating jack stand. This provided safety and stability while working with the beams.) When the beam building was done, the tower was cranked to the vertical and then raised to normal height. The TiltPlates worked exactly as advertised and are mechanically extremely strong. I could not be happier with this product. The TiltPlates have now been in use for just over a year and experienced the full force of Hurricane Irene. Absolutely no damage was done to the tower, the beams, or to the TiltPlates. I did have a minor hiccup with an LMR600 connector going to the OB9-5 balun during the 2011 10 meter contest. Trouble-shooting was a breeze in that it took only about 20 minutes to get the tower down and over and start tracking down the problem. It felt great not to have to put on a climbing belt and do connector work at altitude. Once again, all the work was done at ground level. I do have a KARLock for the OB40-30 and it works very well. I am not able to use a KARLock on the OB9-5 as the feed-tube system on the beam physically blocks the installation if this device. However, when large wind gusts arrive from the right direction, the OB9-5 lifts gracefully on the moveable TiltPlate and returns in the same manner as the gust subsides, with no damage or noise occurring. In summary, the NN4ZZ TiltPlates have been the best investment I have made in ham radio gear in years. They may appear to be expensive, but in reality they are not: Physically robust, well-engineered, designed to last for decades, they provide a margin of safety and convenience that can not be beat. To top it off, Al, NN4ZZ, will also help you through any and all installation issues or questions via email or phone. His product is a definite labor of love. I visited Al at his home QTH in GA last year while out on a County Hunting trip. The cleanliness and organization of his shop and TiltPlate parts bins made it look like he had gone through an ISO Standards inspection. One could argue that he should be building commercial airliners there, rather than TiltPlates, hi. Save your life, quit climbing towers, buy one or more TiltPlates and put up some beam antennas. You won't regret it. 73 de Bill KM1C Oriental, NC, USA. |
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| K3BZ |
Rating:      |
2011-12-10 | |
| After 3-1/2 years, still ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING!! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I liked the idea of what Al NN4ZZ's Tiltplate would do for me just from his description, so I took a chance, receiving S/N 001 in 2008. I'm still glad. My earlier review (just after it arrived) was based on the overall good impression the TiltPlate construction gave me... very heavy-duty, well-designed, well-made, the best materials and components. It's now been on my 60-ft tilt-over tower for 3-1/2 years supporting a 4-element SteppIR yagi and it has been tilted over 5 or 6 times for various antenna adjustments and maintenance tasks. The TiltPlate itself has never required any attention at all. I also have the optional KARLock mechanism that locks the TiltPlate in place during high winds, and that too has operated flawlessly the entire 3-1/2 years with no adjustments or attention. Nothing's perfect, I suppose, but this set-up comes as close as anything I've ever seen. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny. The TiltPlate and KARLock continue to bring my antennas down to where I can work safely, with both feet firmly on the ground. I'm not a youngster anymore, and climbing is out of the question. These products give me... and my XYL... a good deal of peace of mind, which is PRICELESS!!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K3BZ on 2008-02-15
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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| WX4F |
Rating:      |
2011-03-19 | |
| Outstanding!!! Must Have!! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I can't add much to the other reviews, but just to confirm this is a GREAT product with GREAT customer service!! I am using on a Heights tilt-over aluminum tower with a SteppIR 3 element yagi. Allows me to take the tower all the way over fully horizontal with no step ladders!! I can stand ON THE GROUND and do all antenna work on the yagi!! It's a DREAM come true. I fell 5 feet from a step ladder in 2008 and shattered my ankle in about 12 pieces; no more step ladders for me!! HI HI. It's really a great product. |
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| W6LQP |
Rating:    |
2011-02-12 | |
| Caution required... |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
At the onset - it appeared to be able to solve our difficult antenna placement problem - sloping and rough hillside location, large antenna and heavy telescoping tower...all prescriptions for potential problems using conventional erection procedures...so we decided to bypass those issues with the TiltPlate.
Al was very helpful but whoever drilled out the fine quality stainless plates did not account for the fact that a 2 inch antenna boom is indeed two inches in diameter and not 1.9 inches and the company had to redo the plate...something that occurs from time to time when you job out items like this to a machine shop not under your control. I suggest you request a sample of the clamps that will hold your boom in place before you purchase the system. Also, with 4 people holding the antenna in place , two long levels and a square, the system still did not go up level with the base or perpendicular to the tower - it missed by 10-15 degrees and it will all have to come down again and be redone. Better antenna positioning instructions - besides the interesting video - would be helpful. The Karlock anti-sway locking device is expensive but if you live in an area with high winds it is a necessity. |
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| W8TRN |
Rating:     |
2010-12-10 | |
| Save Your Back/Arms & Trip to the ER |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Forget about climbing, 12 and 33 foot ladders, or whatever you do to get to the beam. Although pricey, consider what a trip to the emergecy room, ambulance ride, mangled limbs, etc will take from you wallet and bank account. Working on your antenna is a breeze with this device. Only criticism the plate is not drilled to accept the simple SteppIR boom leveling bolt. If you are not familiar with this, download SteppIr's assembly manual. Their boom leveling system is simple, quick and idiot proof. As supplied, this plate makes leveling the boom/elements a bit tedious. |
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| AA4V |
Rating:      |
2010-04-12 | |
| Dream accessory |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I purchased an NN4ZZ tiltplate and KARlock recently for my SteppIR 3 el yagi mounted on a UST MA550MDP motorized tiltover tower. Both units arrived within days of ordering in well-constructed heavy duty cartons. Installation was very intuitive and took about 2 hours. It worked perfectly. No more Lift trucks or step ladders for me again. Congratulations to NN4ZZ for a superior product. |
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| KG6LQ |
Rating:      |
2008-07-04 | |
| Top Notch! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
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 |
Rating:      |
2008-05-04 | |
| Outstanding |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| 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 |
Rating:      |
2008-03-17 | |
| A brilliant idea so I homebrewed one |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
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 |
Rating:      |
2008-02-15 | |
| Unit 007 |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| 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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