On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:46:57 -0500, aemeijers
wrote:

Red Green wrote:
"hr(bob) " wrote in
:

On Dec 30, 4:41 pm, Red Green wrote:
mm wrote
innews:ashnj55ci62e5fnq9s8rtefhjcjg57
:
Removing part of one truss, temporarily.
Why would you even risk such a thing for a TV antenna and "some
things"?

You can't just go whack up a truss and stick it back together so it
looks good & strong even if everything goes well.

First person down the road like a potential buyer, home inspector,

That's a good point.

etc is going to want to see is the paper from the PE with the repair
spec, signature and PE stamp.
....
Even if the roof were to sag when one section is out, can't it be
lifted up again and then the truss repaired, or some other method
used to put the sagging part back where it belongs?
Thanks.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
IF you do go ahead with this, why not put the sister in place before
you cut the truss support? You could put new supports in that would
clear the antenna and then cut out the existing lumber that is in
place.

That's an idea too. I hadn't thought of it.


Hey, why not whack up the antenna and sister it back together with dowels
and duct tape?

Could even use some cardboard and duct tape to make gussets.

Actually, not a bad idea. Replace the longer elements on the antenna
with something metal the same length that can be snapped off and on as
needed.

Solidsignal.com has email and telephone help, and I called and asked
if the elements came off. Unfortunately she had to check with someone
who had actually held an antenna, but the answer was no. But I still
might drill out the rivet on one or two elements if I have to and
reattach with a screw and nut.

I also made sure that each element opened separately. I was afraid it
might be like an umbrella. On some antennas, two or more elements
hinge in the opposite direction and they're worried the customer will
break one by getting it stuck under another and then forcing it, so I
won't do that.

orr maybe modify the existing antenna by making clean cuts on the
too-long elements, and reassemble them using tubing to make a sleeve
that the elements fit tightly into, with set screws to hold it all
together.

That's a good idea.

Inside, out of the weather, all the elements need to do is
hold themselves up and in the proper orientation, not fight the wind.
One could even make a usable antenna out of copper wire segments hung in
the proper orientation, held up with non-conductive fish line.

I figure it's worth spending a little money, when it's a one-time cost
and only 60 to 80 dollars. Right now I get most of the stations I
want just with a single strand 7-foot piece of wire stuck into the
coaxial connector hole, then draped over a dresser. I get 3 or 3 DC
stations this way, plus 7.2, and I'm in Baltimore. I'm hoping to get
four or five more, counting x.1, x.2, x.3, and maybe one really good
one,

For damn sure I'd do something like that before I went mucking up the
trusses.

Well, cutting the truss was only a last ditch idea if nothing else
worked. It's probably more likely I'd try to return the
antenna, or sell it, and buy the next smaller one.

But I like to plan for all contingencies in advance.

Thanks to all of you.