ATM Top Truss Pole connection Options?

["Jim Miller" <jim@jtmiller.com>]

I'm making a *six* pole truss dob and trying to decide between two top end
configurations for attaching the poles.

Is there any difference between the following in terms of stabilty?

1.  two poles attached to offset angle brackets which pivot about a single
point which via an angle bracket firmly attaches to the upper ring.  All
three brackets attach via a single point with a single bolt.  This seems
most likely to achieve pure compression/tension in the truss poles.

 _o_   <-single bolt connecting pole bracket to upper angle bracket
   /\      <-offset pole brackets
 /    \
| |    | |  <-poles

2.  two poles attached individually with straight brackets at separate
points to an angle bracket which attaches to the upper ring.  This is easier
to build but seems to provide a bending moment to the truss poles.

_o__o_  <two bolts connecting pole brackets to upper angle bracket
  |       |   <-"straight" pole brackets
  |       |
 | |      | |   <- poles

In each case the angle bracket attaches separately to the upper stage.

Thoughts?

I guess I could always build a model out of plastic straws...

jtm