Antenna Failure!

I looked out the window this morning to see the 10ft mast for my Hy-Gain AV-640 vertical was leaning at about a 15 degree angle. I went outside and saw that the ATB-75 tiltover mechanism had failed in two places:

We’ve been having some high winds lately. It looks like the wind loading on the antenna and mast caused the upper bracket to tear at the bend (left photo). The subsequent movement then caused the upper bolt hole to hog out (right photo)

okay.

I’ve ordered a replacement ATB-75.  I’ve also decided to replace the Hy-Gain AV-640 with a GAP Challenger. My reasons:

• The AV-640 developed a high SWR on 40 meters. It had done so once before. I did not look forward to disassembling, cleaning, and tightening a bazillion screws.
• While the SV-640 worked very will sitting on top of a 10ft mast, it was HEAVY.  It took all the strength of my XYL and myself to tilt it down and up.
• I had a GAP Challenger several years ago. It was easy to assemble and maintain, and worked very well.

The GAP Challenger is now also on the way.  In the meantime, I’ll rely upon my 10-10M end-fed half-wave.