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FAQs
Click on the BLUE Link to jump to the section/page for information on:
Antenna applications,
Boom sizes, and Adapters
Boom Truss Mast information
Benefits, & design
Q) What are the 3 main benefits of a TiltPlate?
A) Number one is
safety. No
more climbing a 16 foot ladder to reach any part of your antenna or tower.
Number two is convenience. You can single handedly
lower your antenna from it's normal operating position to ground level for
maintenance in a matter of minutes. Whether you have a simple
aluminum yagi or a high tech antenna like the SteppIR, it is nice to work on
it from the ground. Number three is protection in a storm. If you know you will have high winds (e.g. a
hurricane warning), you can lay your tower and antenna down at ground level and
tie it off.
Q) What were the design considerations for the TiltPlates?
A) The design focuses on strength, quality, and durability while
still using light weight materials when appropriate. All of the hardware is
stainless steel to withstand years of
exposure to the elements. The bearings
(click) are rated for the harsh
environment. The TiltPlates use high quality U-bolts from DX
Engineering. The plates are 6061 aluminum and machined on a CNC for
dimensional accuracy. The TiltPlate is designed to protect
your antenna investment and provide convenience and safety for you.
Q) The TiltPlate is pretty expensive. Why is that?
A) The major costs are for raw material (aluminum plate),
machining, top quality components, and labor. When
you consider a tower and antenna can cost $10,000 or more, the safety
and convenience of a TiltPlate is put into perspective.
Q) Who are the TiltPlate customers?
A)
TiltPlate customers are hams that want a simple system that
lets them work on their antennas on the ground. They like being
self-reliant. Many prefer not to climb towers or tall ladders, so safety
is a factor. They don't want to spend money on cranes or a bucket truck every
time they need to do maintenance. Many of them are capable of
building their own but prefer a tried and tested product.
Q) Can I really lower my tower to the ground for maintenance in just a few
minutes?
A) If you have a crankup / tiltover tower, there is one winch for
each function. You can motorize both winches if desired. And
with the TiltPlate you can really be working on your antenna in a matter of
minutes. Here is a link to my MA-850, you can see more pictures on my "antennas
and towers" web page. Note, U.S. Towers is no longer selling
their raising fixtures with the MD-75 motor but you can still buy the MD-75 and
install it yourself.
Q) What type of tilt over towers can I use?
A) The TiltPlate will work with any tiltover tower that pivots near
ground level or has a pivot point up to about 5 feet off of the ground. If
your tower pivot point is higher than 5 feet it may still work if it can tilt
beyond horizontal. See next FAQ.
Q) How would it work if my
tower pivots at 20 feet?
A) The TiltPlate must open beyond the
normal maximum of 110 degrees. There is a "no cost" option to allow the
plates to open to 160 degrees. Click
here for more information.
Q) What models and options are most popular?
A) Here is the approximate breakdown:
60% Order the "stackable"
configuration (recommended if you want to put another antenna above the TiltPlate)
40% Order the
Non-Stackable configuration
10% Order the "Mini"
size model (up to 70 lb and 9 sq ft antenna)
60% Order the "Standard"
size model (up to 100 lb and 15 sq ft antenna)
30% Order the "Monster"
size model (up to 250 lb and 25 sq ft antenna)
60% Order the KARLock
option
Q) Which model is right for me?
A) The main considerations are the weight and wind load of your
antenna. For smaller antennas, the space available between the
elements where the boom/mast plate mounts is a consideration. The
Mini-TiltPlate may be a better fit for the smaller antennas since it only
requires 12 inches for mounting. You may also want to consider
whether you plan to change antennas in the future since the boom u-bolts can be
changed to support different antennas.
Click to go to the specifications page
for more information.
For example the Steppir 3el will work on either the Mini-TiltPlate or the
Standard model. See pix below. If you plan to upgrade
antennas at some point, the Standard model could be a better choice.
If not, the Mini-TiltPlate will work fine and is a little less expensive.
Installation and
Maintenance
Q) How do I
install the TiltPlate?
A) See the basic
installation
instructions here. There are also additional notes in the "Operation
and Options" section below for some specific antennas. See the FAQ
below on how to make sure the antenna elements are level.
Q) How do I
compensate for the plate offset and insure the antenna will be level?
A) The boom is rotated to compensate for the
offset. Click here to read about several
methods you can use to get the right offset.
Q) I have one of the DreamBeam 18 antennas. Are there any tips for
this installation?
A) Paul / W0PL provided some installation tips that might be helpful to
others who are assembling a DB18E on a TiltPlate.
CLICK for more information and
pictures
Q) What are the dimensions of the TiltPlate?
A) The Standard and Monster models are both the same size, 18" W x 26"
H.
The Mini-TiltPlate is 12" W x 26"H.
Click to go to the specifications page
for pictures with dimensions
Q) The TiltPlate is wider than my original boom/mast plate and on my application
the boom mounting location is a little off center. The antenna is
not completely balanced end to end. Should I try to
compensate?
A) In most cases it is not a problem. If you
want to adjust the balance, here are some options to consider. Some
antenna manufacturers supply weights you can add (see the SteppIR 40-30 dipole
manual) for specific applications. You can make a sliding weight from a
piece of steel bar or other item from the junk box and a u-bolt.
Another idea was suggested by a few hams. Insert a short section of water
pipe at the "light end" of the boom. You can also nest a smaller
section of water pipe to get extra weight if needed. It's an inexpensive
option and is not visible once installed.
It doesn't take much weight (3-5 lbs) when
it is 10-15 feet from the center to provide the necessary balance.
Q) Is any regular maintenance required.
A) The bearings have a
grease fitting but only require greasing every
5 years or so to keep the moisture out. Any type of automotive
grease is fine. Although the bearing block is nickel plated it will
develop surface rust. This won't affect the functionality but you can
paint if desired. It's not required and purely cosmetic. All of the stainless fitting are assembled with
Never-Seize to allow easy disassembly should it ever be required. No other
maintenance is required.
Q) Can you provide installation service or do you recommend anyone?
A) I only sell the product but any professional installer should be
able to do this for you. For example Matt from XXtowers is familiar with
the TiltPlate and has installed them before.
His web page is
www.xxtowers.com
Operation and Options
Q) Will the antenna stay perfectly
level as the tower tilts?
A)
As the tower tilts over the antenna will not stay perfectly level. However
as it gets close to the ground you can easily swivel it as needed.
Some folks rest the antenna on a saw horse or use a bungee cord to hold it in
place for maintenance.
Q) It seems like there should be a latch or lock to keep the antenna from
moving. Is a lock needed?
A) No, the weight of the antenna exerts enough force needed to keep the
antenna in place. The tilting plate is intentionally held a few degrees (6-12
depending on boom size) off vertical by the boom u-bolts to generate the down
force.
Q) What happens when the wind really blows?
A) In high winds (40+ mph) the antenna will tilt up and
return to the normal position as the wind subsides. It won't
lift
unless the wind is from the right direction (from behind). The wind
actually forces the plates together when it is from the
front side (diagram). This
tilting is normal and working as designed. During
Hurricane Ivan my 4el yagi tilted up about 30 degrees a few times in the 40+ MPH winds.
Gusts of 50+ MPH were recorded in other storms, again with no ill effects.
In very high winds (70+) the antenna can go almost vertical.
Click here for a video sent in by John / KO4XJ
showing his 4 el SteppIR tilting in a storm. The video is also
available on the NN4ZZ YouTube
channel.
Q) I live in a very windy area and would feel better if I could lock the
TiltPlate to avoid the lifting. Is there any provision for that?
A) The KARLock is an optional lock
you can add to your TiltPlate to prevent lifting in heavy wind. The lock
only engages in high wind conditions and only when the tower is in the operational position. You
don't have to climb the tower or remove screws, etc to tilt your
tower. CLICK here for more information.
Q) Is there any problem with the TiltPlate/antenna slipping on the mast.
A) The Standard and Monster model
TiltPlates use 4 U-bolts from DX Engineering to secure the plate to the mast,
they should not slip in even the heaviest wind. If you ever have a problem you
can pin the mast to the aluminum plate but again this is not needed or
recommended. The Mini-TiltPlate uses 3 u-bolts but for the smaller antennas
this is more than adequate. The Mini-TiltPlate is drilled for a 4th mast
u-bolt should you want to add one.
Q) Is there any problem with the antenna boom slipping where it mounts
to the TiltPlate?.
A) The Standard and Monster model TiltPlates use 4 U-bolts (or V bolts for the MonstIR) from DX Engineering to secure the boom to the
movable plate. The U-bolts should not slip in even the heaviest wind.
The V-bolts do not grip as well as the U-bolts but when used with the MonstIR
and EZeye will not slip. If using the V-bolts with other large
antennas, you may want to pin the boom to the aluminum plate. The
Mini-TiltPlate uses 3 u-bolts for the boom but for the smaller antennas this is
more than adequate.
Antenna Applications,
Boom sizes, and Adapters
Q) What types of antennas can be used with a TiltPlate?
A) The TiltPlate works with any yagi or log periodic type antenna as
long as there is room to attach the boom to the boom plate. The boom
plate is 18 inches
wide on the Standard and Monster models and 12" wide on the Mini-TiltPlate. Here are some of the antennas supported:
- SteppIR 2el
- SteppIR 3el
- SteppIR 4el
- SteppIR MonstIR
(Please click for an important
note for MonstIR)
- SteppIR DreamBeam18
- SteppIR Dreambeam36
(Please click for an important
note for DB36)
- SteppIR Dreambeam42 (Please
click for an important
note for DB42)
-
Optibeam (40MM square boom) OB9-5
-
Optibeam (80MM boom) OB16-3, OB
15-7, OB 13-6, OB-4030
- M2 KT36XQA (3 inch boom)
- M2 10-30LP8 (3 inch boom)
-
Optibeam OB18-6 (special 80MM
boom mounting plate required)
-
HyGain TH11DX (phasing tubes,
special adapter required)
-
Older model
Tennadyne T8, T10 & T11 (1.5 inch dual
square boom)
-
New HD model -
Tennadyne T10 HD, T12 HD & T14 HD
Q) What boom sizes are supported?
A) The TiltPlate supports round boom sizes from 1 inch to 3 inches.
Four (4) u-bolts are used on the Standard and Monster models. The
Mini-TiltPlate for smaller antennas uses 3 u-bolts.
In addition to supporting the range of round booms, a number of adapters and modifications are available for other
antennas using square booms or having special mounting needs for phasing lines,
etc.
1 to 2 inch boom (e.g.
2 el & 3 el SteppIR) using V-bolts,
DXE-CAVS-2P - no pinning required due to small size.
2 inch boom ( e.g. DreamBeam 18 & 18E) using U-bolts,
DXE-SAD-200B- no pinning required
2 1/2 inch boom ( e.g. 4el SteppIR, DreamBeam 36) using U-bolts,
DXE-SAD-250B- no pinning required
2 to 2 3/4 inch boom (e.g. MonstIR) using V-bolts, DXE-CAVS-3P- use EZeye or
optionally pin to boom
3 inch boom ( M2 KT36XQA and other yagis ) using U-bolts, DXE-SAD-300B- no pinning
required
40 MM square boom (Optibeam OB 9-5, etc) Custom mounting adapter.
Click for 40MM details
80 MM square boom (Optibeam OB 16-3, etc) Custom mounting adapter.
Click for 80MM details
Optibeam OB18-6 (18 element 40M-10M Yagi) custom modification.
Click for modification details
Hy-Gain TH11DX (11-Element, 10-20M yagi) custom adapter.
Click for adapter details
Tennadyne T8, T10, & T11 (1.5 inch dual
square boom) Click for modification
details
See the DX engineering web page for details on the DXE clamps.
www.dxengineering.com
Q) I have a SteppIR MonstIR.
How do I use the EZeye with my TiltPlate.
A) The
EZeye (click for picture)
can still be used. It is intended to provide additional resistance against
slippage of the boom. The TiltPlate uses 4 V-bolts instead of the 2
u-bolts that are supplied with the SteppIR MonstIR Mast plate. So the
EZeye may not required but can be used. After properly adjusting
the boom so the elements are parallel to the ground, drill a hole in the
TiltPlate and install the EZeye bolt. As an alternative, you
can drill and pin the boom with a 5/16 or 3/8 inch diameter bolt.
Q) I have a DreamBeam 18 (or 18e), will the TiltPlate fit?
A) Yes, click for pix
to see how the TiltPlate fits between the tubes on the Standard model TiltPlate.
Q) I have
a 2el SteppIR, will the TiltPlate fit?
A) Yes, the Standard model TiltPlate is mounted between the tubes instead of in the
factory boom plate position. See the customer pictures for the W2CEA
installation on the main page. This antenna is also a good fit
on the Mini-TiltPlate.
Q) I have
an Optibeam antenna with a square boom, will the TiltPlate work"
A) Yes, there are several adapters available, click for more
information:
Optibeam OB 9-5, etc - mounting adapter.
Click for 40MM details
Optibeam OB 16-3, OB-4030, etc mounting adapter.
Click for 80MM details
Optibeam OB18-6 (18 element 40M-10M Yagi) custom modification.
Click for details
Q) Can I order a standard model with the 2 -
2 3/4 inch boom
V-bolt clamps or the 3 inch U-Bolts? I have an antenna that is light enough for the
standard model but has a boom larger than 2 1/2 inches.
A) Yes, all clamping options are available on all models. The fixed sized U-bolts are the preferred choice but either
U-bolts or the V-bolts will work. When using the V-bolts, pinning the
boom to the plate may be required. Please note the 2 -
2 3/4 inch V-bolts only support booms up to 2 3/4 inches due to the
thickness of the plates. These V-bolts are listed on the DX Engineering site as
supporting up to a 3 inch
boom but that is not the case with the TiltPlate.
Boom Truss Mast
Q) What about the boom truss mast? (size, material, length)
A) The boom truss mast is optional, check your antenna manual to see if one is
needed. The purpose of the boom truss mast is to provide an attachment
point for the boom truss cables if your antenna requires one. The boom truss clamps
provided are 2 inch U-bolts from DX Engineering. The actual mast section
is not provided. You
can use either a length of aluminum (preferred for lighter weight) or galvanized material for the mast.
The suggested length is up to 4 feet if using aluminum and up to 3 feet if using
heavier galvanized pipe. Check your antenna manual to see where they
recommend attaching the cables. For example, on the SteppIR 4el yagi
the attachment point is between 26 and 30 inches above the boom so a 36 inch
mast is more than adequate. DX Engineering is a good source for
tubing.
Q) Since the moveable plate is held out a few degrees, the boom truss mast
is not perfectly vertical, is that a problem?
A) The boom truss cable attachment point will be a few inches off center ( i.e not
directly above the boom). This is not a mechanical issue and will
work fine. In fact, the offset is required on the "stackable"
TiltPlates to provide the proper clearance for the boom truss cables so they
don't interfere with the mast that extends above the TiltPlate. The
shim block can be used on the stackable configuration if you would like to reduce the amount of offset for the larger
diameter booms. Usually the shim block should be
removed for the stackable configuration. Or it can be moved to
the lower u-bolt to get extra clearance. See the picture below from
Lou/W0FK.
The shim block can be used on the non-stackable configuration if you are mounting a small antenna on the boom truss
mast and would like the boom truss mast to be more vertical. The 1/2 inch thick shim block
is included with the TiltPlates. If you have need one of the shim blocks, it's available for $3 (block is free, just
pay for S&H). Click
here for a picture of
the block.
Lou / W0FK recommends that users with the stacked plate that use the boom
support supplied by SteppIR for
the DreamBeam 18 use the shim on the LOWER u-bolt. If a longer mast is
used, it probably won't be needed.
Q) I have the "stackable" TiltPlate model. Can I just attach the
truss cables to the mast that extends beyond the top of the TiltPlate?
A) It will work but is not the recommended setup. The boom
truss mast is attached to the moveable boom plate to keep the cable tension on
the boom constant as the tower is tilted over. Connecting the cable to the
main mast will work but the tension will change as the tower is tilted allowing
the boom to droop more. It will be harder to set the cables up for
the proper boom support.
Q) I don't need a boom truss on my antenna but I have one of the SteppIR
antennas with the trombone element in the center. There is an
optional truss bracket supplied by SteppIR to give the trombone some extra
support. Can I use the TiltPlate boom truss mast for this?
A) Yes, you can attach the trombone truss cable to the boom truss mast.
You may also be able to use the aluminum bracket supplied by SteppIR if there is
room to mount it next to the TiltPlate. And another option is to attach
the SteppIR bracket directly to the TiltPlate using some of the extra holes next
to one of the boom u-bolts.
Mounting Other Antennas above, below and alongside your TiltPlate
Q) Can I put a second antenna
above the TiltPlate
on the boom truss mast?
A) The "boom truss" mast attaches to the movable
plate and can be up to 4 feet long. You can mount a small antenna (e.g. 2M yagi,
ground plane) to the mast. An aluminum mast is recommended to keep
the weight down. The total weight of the antenna and mast should not
exceed 10 lbs for the standard model or 20 pounds for the monster model.
Both the weight and antenna height are factors since they counteract the effect
of the main antenna.
A light weight ground plane such as the Diamond X50A
(click for pix) is recommended. It weights about 2.5 pounds and is 5.6
feet tall. The height from the boom to the tip of the ground plane antenna
should not be more than 9 feet. See the customer picture submitted by KB5XE for
an example. See the FAQ above about reducing the amount of
offset on the boom truss mast if you decide to use this option. See the FAQ below on the STACKABLE configuration, this is
the best option if you want to add a larger antenna
(or any antenna) above the TiltPlate.
Q) Can I mount an antenna
along side the
TiltPlate? I have a larger vertical for 2M that is about 17 feet tall?
A) You may be able to mount a taller vertical (for example the
Ringo Ranger AR 10) along side your
TiltPlate using a sidearm. Here is a diagram to
illustrate. You can also use this method to mount a
small 2M yagi above the TiltPlate. See the FAQ below on
STACKABLE TiltPlates configuration, this is the best option if you want to add a
second antenna
above the TiltPlate.
Q) Can I mount another antenna
below the TiltPlate?
A) You can mount a 30M or 40M rotatable
dipole on the mast below the TiltPlate and yagi. The booms should be parallel
so as not to interfere in the tilting action of the TiltPlate. Some have
reported that when the dipole is below
their yagi
the swr of the dipole is affected. They report good results when
mounting the dipole above the yagi. The
stackable option below will allow you to mount the dipole above or below.
Q) Can I stack two TiltPlates on one mast or
allow the mast to extend above the TiltPlate for a second antenna.
A) The standard non-stackable configuration is designed to
mount the TiltPlate as the last (or top) attachment on the mast. The STACKABLE
configuration allows the
mast to extend above the TiltPlate so you can mount a second TiltPlate,
rotatable dipole, or large vertical above it. Here is a link to the
STACKABLE TiltPlate configuration for more information.
This is the best option if you want to add a second antenna
above the TiltPlate.
Q) When should I order the NON-Stackable configuration?
A) The non-stackable configuration is
preferred
when the TiltPlate will be at the top of the mast. This
configuration centers the weight over the mast better. The
stackable configuration is slightly off center but when a second antenna
is mounted on the mast above the TiltPlate, it can be mounted to the opposite
side and compensate to some degree. However, the stackable
configuration can be used with or without anything above it as the difference is
minimal.
Ordering and Shipping
Q) What is the lead time to get a TiltPlate built?
A) I keep the components for all models in stock and will usually
assemble and ship your TiltPlate within one week of
receiving your order.
Q) How does the payment process work? Is my credit card
information safe?
A) The on line payment process is handled thru PayPal. You
can use your credit card or PayPal account (if you have one). But you
don't need to have a paypal account to use the "buy now" button. Your
credit card information is NOT provided to me from PayPal. If you
would prefer you can send me a check. Please eMail me for details.
The on-line process is faster but either way is fine.
Q) If I'm ordering several items or have special shipping costs, how
does that work?
A) The web ordering
currently requires a separate transaction for each item. If you are
ordering several items, special orders, or have international shipping you can
pay me directly via PayPal in a single transaction. Contact me to
determine the total cost of your order. In case you are not familiar
with the process to send money via PayPal
click here to see
what the paypal.com screen looks like.
Q) How will my TiltPlate be shipped?
A) The TiltPlates are securely bubble wrapped, boxed and shipped via UPS
domestically.
You will receive an email with your tracking number and can expect delivery in
3-5 days in the lower 48 states. The domestic packaging and shipping
costs are listed on the main page. We also ship to Alaska, Hawaii, and
Canada, but the rates are slightly higher. Please email me for
the rates to your location. See below for international shipping.
Q) What about International shipping?
A) International shipping rates vary considerably. The rate
to Europe can vary between $175 to $350. The rates to the
middle east or Australia for example can be up to $500.
Generally USPS Priority mail is less expensive to Europe and other countries.
Please email me for the rates to your location. A proforma invoice will be
provided to help with customs pickup. Please be sure to include your PHONE
NUMBER when ordering as this is needed for the CP-72 USPS customs form.
Q) If I order a TiltPlate and KARLock at the same time, how are they
shipped?
A) In
most cases it is less expensive to ship them in one box and if so you will
get a refund of the savings included in the shipping box.
Q) What if I live in the Atlanta area or want to pick it up instead of
having it shipped?
A) No problem, I'll refund the shipping and
packaging cost when you pick it up.
Patent Information
Q) What does the TiltPlate patent cover?
A) The patent covers the TiltPlate and
KARLock.
Click on the picture below for the full patent detail.
Build your own TiltPlate
Q) What if I want to build my own TiltPlate?
A) All of the information on the how to build one of the early models is posted. It will cost about $600 for parts.
Click Here for
more information. If you have any questions I'm happy to answer them.
Most folks find that my "for sale" models are really a bargain when you consider
the labor, quality, upgraded components, and improved design.