Mounts in high wind

Tempest Owners
1

Brand new Tempest owner - REALLY impressed so far. I’m looking for the “best” permanent mounting solution.

I’ve currently got an Acurite All-in-One on a 1" cast iron pipe about 15’ in the air and one of the problems I have with that, and have had with other AiO setups, is that in winds above about 20 MPH (which we get around here) the pipe sways enough to tip the tipping bucket rain gauge.

I ALSO have a Switchdoc Labs SkyWeather2 (which the Tempest will be replacing) on a 4x4 10’ in the air (the 4x4 is bolted to a 4x44 fence post that’s well-anchored). That setup also sways; but only in winds above about 30 MPH.

Right now, the Tempest is on top of a 4x4 post, about 4’ off the ground. I want to go higher. I’m thinking 10’ on a 1 inch pipe that’s coupled to a 1 1/2 5’ pipe in the ground and clamped to the side of my 4x4 post - so, about 6 or 7 feet “unsupported”. While the wind load in the Tempest is pretty small, I’m still concerned about sway.

I thought about using a 10’ 4x4; but I’m a little concerned about the long term results of putting so much load on the plastic shoulders around the screw mount.

I’d appreciate any wisdom the group can share!

Clay Jackson
Amateur Radio N7QNM

2

1" pipe 15’ free standing?!
Definitely need some guy wires there!
Some sway is OK but if it’s swaying enough to tip the bucket, that’s too much!
The only way to get high is on a tower especially if you have trees.

3

Clay, where did you get your cast iron pipe?

4

Home Depot - they come in 10’ sections and sometimes have smaller or can cut. I have a1” pipe, 1 10’ section and one 5’ section with about 2’ in a 1 1/4” pipe driven into the ground, and secured to the side of a shed at about 6’, so