Radar mounting with screws?

[ridgy]

I will be fitting a radar in the near future so I have to get one of these scanstrut jobs.

My question is, can I attach it using self tapping screws or do I definitely need rivets? I ask since the mast is up and riveting would be a bit awkward...

Thanks,
Nick

 

[gianenrico]

Not much more awkward, I think, than drilling a hole for self tapping screw and then forcing the screw in .
Cheers,
Gianenrico

 

[jjj]

I would be inclined to rivet the mast strut, I take it that the mast material is aluminium. If so I would be conscious about galvanic corrosion between the different methods of fastners you wish to use.

 

[salamicollie]

Did this last summer

The scan strut is not very heavy, so you can help hold it in place with a halyard, a hand and a couple of large cable ties round the mast and feet while you mark the first holes - once you have a rivet in on each side it all becomes a lot easier.

Rivets come with the kit, if I remember correctly they are s/s so need to slather in chromate paste...

BTW Lazy Tong riveter is probably no easier to use than large lever type, in each case hard bit is keeping it pressed home on the rivet head while steadying yourself and operating it. In the end I was able to tie a ladder to the toe rail and mast and work from that (i fitted mine only about 4m up) which made all a damn site easier - mind you I still had a halyard as a safety line

 

[bobgoode]

Get a decent hand rivet gun for a few quid, buy some monel rivet from any good chandler and cover in zinc chromate paste (duralac) then you have no worries. Much better than ss screws.

 

[R32Stbrigid]

I once saw a radar that had been fitted with stainless self tappers into the ali mast - it had fallen off and landed in the cockpit! I would therefore always use monel rivets!!!