TIPs to install the boom and insure the antenna is level

The moveable plate (with the boom) is designed to be offset from vertical.   The boom is installed on the inside of the moveable plate to center the antenna weight over the mast and rotator as well as provide the down force to keep the plates together.  The offset varies between 6-12 degrees depending on your  ubolt, boom size and the tiltplate model. When installing a tiltplate there are several ways you can insure your antenna will be level in the operational position.  Here are 3 methods you can use.  Method 3 was offered by one of our customers, Dave / K8DH. 

Your feedback on these instructions is welcome.

1) Protractor method

After your install the tiltplate on your tower, install a representative section of your boom on the moveable plate.  Manually close the plates together and tie or clamp them together for the offset angle measurement.  If you have adjustable woodworking clamps,  they work well.  Use a protractor to get an accurate offset measurement.   Calculate the element to plate angle as 90 minus the offset angle.    Now install your antenna and set the element to plate angle using the calculated value.  

2) The "get it close and adjust as needed" method

Tilt the tower over to the maintenance position.  Use the estimates below and install with the boom rotated so the elements closest to the tower make the angle noted below  between the elements and the moveable plate.  Same basic process as above but using estimates.  Raise the tower and if the antenna is not perfectly level, tilt over and adjust as needed.   This is an easy process if you have a motorized tilt or don't mind a few manual tilt cycles.

Boom Sizes,  Element to plate angle

1 inch,  84 degrees

2 inch,  82 degrees

2.5 inch,  80 degrees

2.75 inch,  79 degrees

3 inch,  78 degrees
 

3) The "Remove a Tube" method that can be used with a Steppir antenna

This method is offered by Dave Head / K8DH for installing his 4 element Steppir.   It should only be used in installations where the ground is level around your tower or is sloping upwards in the direction you tilt your tower.   This is so that a ladder is not needed to reach any part of your antenna.  Here is a summary of the steps David used. 
 
A - Tilt the tower and use a carpenter's level to be sure it is level.  Make sure you measure it at the mast end, as some towers can be seen to droop when horizontal.  Level at the base is not necessarily level at the mast.

B - Remove the 4 fiberglass tubes on the antenna on the opposite side from the tower. Don't forget to first "Home" the elements inside the tubes. This has to be done carefully as this, of course, will unbalance the antenna, and it will be resting on the 4 fiberglass tubes on the tower-side of the antenna.

C - Now, using a a large rod or tube (e.g. a Radio Shack 5' mast), insert it on the bottom end of the boom truss mast that is fixed to the moveable section of the tiltplate. Using this as a lever, raise the 4 elements of the SteppIR that have been resting on the ground on the tower side of the antenna to a vertical position. Make sure that the
tiltplate is completely folded closed, as far as it will go. Use a rope or other fastening to clamp the two tiltplate sections together so that they are closed as far as they can go (touching.)

D - Carefully loosen 3 of the 4 U-bolts holding the boom to the moveable part of the tiltplate. Grab the 1st director of the 4 el. SteppIR which is very close to the tower and tiltplate and, carefully loosening the remaining U-bolt, ensure that the fiberglass tubes of the antenna are absolutely vertical.  Again, the carpenter's level can be used for this.  Be careful - if you lose control,  the antenna can get away from you and crash to the ground, possibly damaging the fiberglass tubes.  Barely loosen that 4th U-bolt so the antenna will move with some effort.  When the element is vertical, tighten the 4th U-bolt.  Check it with the level,  and adjust again if necessary.  If you can get some help with this step it is easier. 

E - After getting the antenna elements vertical, its just a matter of tightening all 4 of the U-bolts, put the fiberglass tubes back on and you are ready to raise the tower back up.