Radar Mast Mount

[TommmD]

I've been working on a readar install for my Hunter 35.5, have the wiring all laid out now with several other projects that needed cables run, and the yard just moved my stick to where I can work on it.
Went to install the scanstrut, & son of a gun, the rivet holes on the brackets line up with the two grooves on either side of the front of the mast. I understand this is a z-spar, which has really had no meaning to me, until now. I did not see any disclaimers from Scanstrut re Z-spars anyway.

What haev others used? I;ve got a note out to Scanstrut about add-on kits for the bracket but I haven't found any such thing just yet.

I think I uploaded a picture here.

 

[mz4wheeler]

I say just drill the holes and put them in. Not noticeable, no effect on mast.

 

[TommmD]

Not crazy about it, means theres's a long gap between the head of the rivet and the mounting point on the bracket. I don't think rivets work particularly well with such a long shank. I could use bolts and drill the bracket out for a larger diameter, but then I'm relying on a couple of thread in the wall of the mast. If the wall is 1/8", then for a 1/4-20 tap I'm only getting 2-1/2 threads ideally. Subtract an edge break & its less. With the weight (!) of the Raytheon dome @ 20+lbs + the strut + wind loading, there's a lot of stress on a few threads, If one is weaker than the rest, than that stress is unevenly distributed. Rivets with a relatively common tensile stress on them will distribute that load more evenly in my estimation, but not if they're cantilevered out an extra inch.
Nothing back from Scan Strut yet. I sent them a note at lunch, prob'ly on tea break.

 

[splax]

Ask for alternate mounting feet. They probably have an assortment of these bolt-on adapters. I would not want to rivet or drill there.

 

[mz4wheeler]

Not crazy about it, means theres's a long gap between the head of the rivet and the mounting point on the bracket.

Just gimme the drill Tom... [zzzzzz]... done. [grin]

I would do the outside ends first (so it stays nice and aligned, then rivet the others at an angle, if necessary. With 12 rivets this thing isn't going anywhere, and will support you standing on it.

 

[salishmermaid]

Hard to tell in the picture how well this would work, but might be worth a try.

Take the bolt out that holds the triangular feet on and flip each foot 180 degrees so the point of the foot faces inward.

If your lucky the alignment will be better.

 

[mz4wheeler]

Take the bolt out that holds the triangular feet on and flip each foot 180 degrees so the point of the foot faces inward.

Brilliant.

 

[TommmD]

The feet are angled on the outside and are not symmetrical to the shape of the mast.. there's a lot more curve on the sides then the front. Here's the adapter from Scanstrut, see attached.

 

[joker460]

This might work or the idea.

http://ansosailing.com/prestashop/radar-tv-mounts/6927-Scanstrut-Mast-Mount-Adapter-Kit.html

Good Luck