Thank you for discussing these issues. I am learning a lot and digesting the information.
This is my 2nd attempt to send this post since the 1st time I sent it, it bounced back. I’m assuming it bounced because I included links. (not that I’ve been banned) I removed the links for this post and posted it through the Group instead of a “reply all”.
I prefer the thick walled EMT because the bigger the antenna clamps hold better with the 1.75" bigger pipe compared to the schedule 40 1.25" water pipe. The weight doesn’t matter, only the bending load, and if the EMT bends, it is worthless. A mechanical engineer friend of mine is sure the heavy walled EMT will hold up to 100 mph winds with ice on the antennas. I hope he is right. I mentioned the price as being part of my decision but it isn’t (why did I mention it???)
Here’s what I have learned from installing the 6 stations (so far) for Kansas Motus:
LMR400 cable-We paid $1.25/foot plus $200 freight for a 500’ roll from Intermod. However this is CAN money so, because of the exchange rate, it was about cheaper than where I got my first roll. Because of the exchange rate and how easy it is to work with Wisdom A., I’ve been trying to buy most things from Intermod.
The cable crimp that works great is shown below. The curved jaw REALLY made a difference. Before I got this crimper, I was using a carpenter’s 300 lb. clamp on the crimper handles since my hands were getting tired.
ITEM #: 902-147 CrimPro Crimper for RG8, RG11, RG213, RG216, BNC, TNC and N Series Connectors, LMR400
CrimPro Crimper for RG8, RG11, RG213, R…
I got it from Eclipse Tool: They were great to work. At first they sent the wrong die (boxed wrong by the manufacturer) but sent me the right one immediately. Be sure to get the .429 die for the cable ends.
The cable ends that Matt Webb suggested work great and cost a fraction of the ones sold by DX engineering. Here’s the link for those: Don’t be frightened by the “There is no best, only better” written on the package. Huh?? The package is weird but the product works fine.
I started using a Wal-mart battery as suggested by the weather tower people at Kansas State University. They use this one for their Mesonet stations which have a much higher draw than our 500 mA CTT stations. I haven’t had enough experience to know how they hold up. Matt has been trying another batter which I plan to look into.
EverStart Lead Acid Marine & RV Deep Cycle 24DC
You can get solar panels at Harbor Freight but their charge controller won’t turn back on again if the battery runs low, so I’m sticking with Sunsaver- until someone suggests otherwise. There are $20.00 charge controllers out there but I’m afraid to try them.
Robert Rosenberg
Kansas Motus