I just went through EXACTLY the same decision-making process-same antenna order
(4+ months till shipped) and agonizing re which tower (shipped immediately).
Almost ordered the MA-550 but finally decided on the TX-455...very glad I
ordered this tower instead of the MA-550. Well made, well-designed remote
controlled motor drive, stable
rotor mount, minimal swaying in the wiind, and not much more of an "eye-sore"
to the neighbors when fully extended and certainly not when retracted.
I was able to attach the antenna with the tower horozontal >> then elevated to
+/- 45 degrees to attach the 2nd set of 3 fiberglass elements (need a 12 foot
stepladder).
You can do all the wiring with the tower horozontal... no cranes, no climbing,
no ladders lashed to the verticle tower ....
Then just cranked it the rest of the way to the vertical. Easy!
3 el Stepp + TX-455 mesh perfectly. The antenna is worth the wait.
Todd K4RR> From: towertalk-request@contesting.com> Subject: TowerTalk Digest,
Vol 59, Issue 56> To: towertalk@contesting.com> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:33:20
-0500> > Send TowerTalk mailing list submissions to> towertalk@contesting.com>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit>
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> or, via email, send a
message with subject or body 'help' to> towertalk-request@contesting.com> > You
can reach the person managing the list at> towertalk-owner@contesting.com> >
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific> than "Re:
Contents of TowerTalk digest..."> > > Today's Topics:> > 1. Which Tower
(W4LDE-Ron)> 2. Re: Which Tower (Dr. James C. Garland)> 3. Re: Shunt Feed Help
(W5LT)> 4. Radial installation machine (homebrew) (Bill Cotter)> 5. Re: Which
Tower (Larry stowell)> 6. Tower/Antenna Work (RICHARD SOLOMON)> 7. Re: Radial
installation machine (homebrew) (n8de@thepoint.net)> > >
----------------------------------------------------------------------> >
Message: 1> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:12:05 -0500> From: W4LDE-Ron
<w4lde@cfl.rr.com>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Which Tower> To: TowerTalk
<towertalk@contesting.com>> Message-ID: <47407265.4060005@cfl.rr.com>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed> > Would like your
input, have a new SteppIR 3-elem on the way, going to > install a new tower,
selection looks like either a U.S. Tower MA-550 > telescoping 55ft (Rated for
9sq' at 70mph) with the tilt-over kit or a > Heights Tower 48' telescoping
(rated 12sq' at 80mph) with also the > tilt-over kit. Home in a 70mph rated
area.> > I am concerned about the swaying on the MA-550 as compared to the >
typical triangle style Heights tower. Any comments will be appreciated.> > Will
be placing an order 12-1-07, can't get the antenna up until > sometime in
March. (long story - HI)> > 73 de - Ron> > > ------------------------------> >
Message: 2> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:35:54 -0700> From: "Dr. James C. Garland"
<4cx250b@muohio.edu>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Which Tower> To: "'W4LDE-Ron'"
<w4lde@cfl.rr.com>, <TowerTalk@contesting.com>> Message-ID:
<00e201c82a09$7965b500$bd00a8c0@Garland>> Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="us-ascii"> > Ron,> If you're worried about swaying, you might consider
a Tashjian Sky Needle> telescoping tubular tower, model TM-358.>
(http://www.tashtowers.com/pdf/TM358-01.pdf ) It's pricier than the MA-550,>
but _much_ heavier duty and won't sway at all.> > Jim W8ZR> > -----Original
Message-----> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com>
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of W4LDE-Ron> Sent: Sunday,
November 18, 2007 10:12 AM> To: TowerTalk> Subject: [TowerTalk] Which Tower> >
Would like your input, have a new SteppIR 3-elem on the way, going to> install
a new tower, selection looks like either a U.S. Tower MA-550> telescoping 55ft
(Rated for 9sq' at 70mph) with the tilt-over kit or a> Heights Tower 48'
telescoping (rated 12sq' at 80mph) with also the> tilt-over kit. Home in a
70mph rated area.> > I am concerned about the swaying on the MA-550 as compared
to the> typical triangle style Heights tower. Any comments will be
appreciated.> > Will be placing an order 12-1-07, can't get the antenna up
until> sometime in March. (long story - HI)> > 73 de - Ron>
_______________________________________________> > > >
_______________________________________________> TowerTalk mailing list>
TowerTalk@contesting.com>
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > >
------------------------------> > Message: 3> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:51:49
-0600> From: "W5LT" <W5LT@tx.rr.com>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Shunt Feed Help>
To: "'Kim Elmore'" <cw_de_n5op@sbcglobal.net>,> <towertalk@contesting.com>>
Message-ID: <011201c829fa$ee742110$cb5c6330$@rr.com>> Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="us-ascii"> > Kim:> I question the accuracy of the impedance
measurement. If it was an accurate> value at the base of the tower, you should
have found a good match at around> 200pfd of series capacitance. > Z = R+jX =
65 + (+445-Xc) = 65 + (445-445) = 65 Ohms resistive. > Then: VSWR = 65/50 = 1.3
> > Try measuring again with a different type of instrument. You may be
getting> some BC interference to the measuring instrument (quite common at
160m). I> use the AIM4170 from Array Solutions for all my antenna measurements
and> find it quite accurate, even with BC interference.> 73s> > Bob, W5LT> >
-----Original Message-----> From: Kim Elmore [mailto:cw_de_n5op@sbcglobal.net]
> Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 9:24 PM> To: towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Shunt Feed Help> > I'm sure shunt feeding towers has been
beaten to death numerous > times, but I have a specific question.> > I'm shunt
feeding my 48 ft tower at 1.8 MHz, with various antennas on > an 8 ft mast
above the feed point. I measured the impedance with a > noise bridge and found
it to be Xr = 65 ohms X = +445 ohms (inductive).> > The resistive part of the
feed point impedance will probably get > closer to 50 ohms as I add radials
(there are none right now -- only > three ground rods and the connection to the
service ground and shack > ground so all grounds are strapped together).> > I
initially I tried feeding it through a 500 pF vacuum variable, and > I also
tried varying the spacing of the shunt from the tower, all > while watching the
SWR. I couldn't find any combination that worked. > Tomorrow, I'll look at how
the impedance changes as I change the > capacitance. I also have a 1000 pF
vacuum variable that I've not > tried yet. I've seen examples that use a 500 pF
variable in series > with the shunt and 1000 pF variable between the shunt and
ground, but > I haven't tried this, yet.> > Am I on the right track? What other
tack should I take?else should I > try? I have a good sized B&W coil should
work for an L network. > Should I simply try that?> > Kim Elmore, N5OP> > > > >
> > ------------------------------> > Message: 4> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007
15:10:16 -0500> From: Bill Cotter <n4lg@qx.net>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Radial
installation machine (homebrew)> To: "Dan Hearn" <dhearn@air-pipe.com>> Cc:
towertalk@contesting.com, 'Joe Wilkowski' <k8fc@k8fc.com>, AD5VJ> Bob
<rtnmi@sbcglobal.net>, K2EK@aol.com> Message-ID:
<20071118201021.74355318267@dayton.contesting.com>> Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed> > Several years ago, a fellow ham here in KY
was figuring out how to > get hundreds of radials under his array. He didn't
want to lay them > on the surface, and have the grass 'absorb' them, but rather
he > wanted them in the soil an inch or two. He had no intention of > plowing
or trenching by hand, so he figured out a clever design of > a radial
installation tool.> > What he did was to purchase a cheap electric 'skil saw'
from > K-mart, and installed a carbide blade. He built a wooden frame that >
held the saw, a roll of #16, a steel guide tube, wheels and weights.> > He
attached the wire exiting from the steel tube to the vertical > element, and
would pull this contraption away from the radiator to > it's final distance.
The reel of wire played out through the steel > tube that followed in the cut
trench. At the end, he simply snipped > the wire, and started over with the
next radial.> > It sounds dangerous, but from what I saw it was very controlled
> cutting, placement of the wire, and the weight of the machine kept > the
blade in the ground a good three inches.> > 73 bill n4lg> > > At 11:00 AM
11/18/2007, Dan Hearn wrote:> >I recall that many years ago someone in one of
the ham magazines > >showed a> >radial planting device which was mounted to a
low platform with > >wheels that> >could be towed like a trailer. He used one
of his kids sitting on the> >platform to hold it down. This might be the
simplist way to plant > >radials.> >73, Dan, N5AR> >> >-----Original
Message-----> >From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com>
>[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of AD5VJ Bob> >Sent:
Saturday, November 17, 2007 7:52 PM> >To: 'Joe Wilkowski'; K2EK@aol.com;
towertalk@contesting.com> >Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment
Suggestions> >> >> > Now this is truly worth mentioning. Thanks for the idea. I
am > > going to work> >on something I hope I can pull behind my riding lawn>
>mower. I have been trying to think of a way to do it economically > >and this>
>gives me an idea.> >> >Will it work through rocky soil also?> >> >tnx Bob
AD5VJ> >> > > -----Original Message-----> > > From:
towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> > > [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Joe > > Wilkowski> > > Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 1:23 PM>
> > To: K2EK@aol.com; towertalk@contesting.com> > > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk]
Cable Treatment Suggestions> > >> > > Bill, sorry I have not been able to get
to this for a couple> > > of days. I read your post below and as they say a
picture is> > > worth a thousand words.> > >
http://www.k8fc.com/radial_plow.htm> > >> > > Anyway, I originally built this
to lay electric fence> > > underground for pet containment but found it to be
very> > > useful for other ham radio endeavors. I have successfully> > > laid
countless thousands of feet of wire with this tool.> > > Also, I have dug
trenches for buried hardline and control> > > cables with out a hitch.> > >> >
> Probably overkill for you but it may inspire a couple of ideas.> > >> > > Joe
K8FC> > > ----- Original Message -----> > > From: <K2EK@aol.com>> > > To:
<towertalk@contesting.com>> > > Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 5:00 PM> > >
Subject: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment Suggestions> > >> > >> > > > Ever since I
moved here I always seem to have some LONG> > > cable run that> > > > needs> >
> > to be buried just enough to avoid a mower encounter....> > > >> > > > The
really large hard-line run, plus assorted control> > > cables, beverage> > > >
cable,> > > > shack cable bundle, etc... (probably 800 feet worth), were> > >
handled with a> > > > rental trencher. Worked great. Not inexpensive plus a> >
> few hours driving> > > > and a> > > > 100 miles of back and forth gas... Not
conducive to> > > impulse creation.> > > >> > > > Has anyone here ever built or
acquired a simple, small plow> > > blade, scoop,> > > > digger suitable for a
decent sized garden tractor yet> > > capable of digging> > > > enough> > > >
trench to bury control line, RG6 bev lines or even a run of> > > RG8 (I use> >
> > that> > > > generically).... Something in the 1 - 2 inch deep by 1 or> > >
2 inch wide> > > > category....> > > >> > > > 73 de Bill> > > > K2EK> > > >> >
> >> > > >> > > > ************************************** See what's new at> > >
> http://www.aol.com> > > > _______________________________________________> >
> >> > > >> > > >> > > > _______________________________________________> > > >
TowerTalk mailing list> > > > TowerTalk@contesting.com> > > >
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > >> > >> > >
_______________________________________________> > >> > >> > >> > >
_______________________________________________> > > TowerTalk mailing list> >
> TowerTalk@contesting.com> > >
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > >> >>
>_______________________________________________> >> >> >>
>_______________________________________________> >TowerTalk mailing list>
>TowerTalk@contesting.com>
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> >>
>_______________________________________________> >> >> >>
>_______________________________________________> >TowerTalk mailing list>
>TowerTalk@contesting.com>
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > >
------------------------------> > Message: 5> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:45:02
-0500> From: "Larry stowell" <lclarks@nc.rr.com>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk]
Which Tower> To: "'W4LDE-Ron'" <w4lde@cfl.rr.com>, "'TowerTalk'">
<towertalk@contesting.com>> Message-ID:>
<!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAALsBWfsc0RVBu+KaBDEljV3CgAAAEAAAAE2G2e2jyk9MlQ8y8T73b5YBAAAAAA==@nc.rr.com>>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"> > > I have a 75hd Aluma tower
with a 4 el with 40/30 element. Its been up for 5 years with out a> problem.
Its mounted with a "ground mount" which takes no concrete. Its motorized for up
and sown> and manual tilt over. I also have a hinge on the mast so I don't need
even a step ladder to maintain> the antenna. > > Larry K1ZW> Durham, NC > >
-----Original Message-----> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of> W4LDE-Ron> Sent:
Sunday, November 18, 2007 12:12 PM> To: TowerTalk> Subject: [TowerTalk] Which
Tower> > Would like your input, have a new SteppIR 3-elem on the way, going to
install a new tower, selection> looks like either a U.S. Tower MA-550
telescoping 55ft (Rated for 9sq' at 70mph) with the tilt-over> kit or a Heights
Tower 48' telescoping (rated 12sq' at 80mph) with also the tilt-over kit. Home
in a> 70mph rated area.> > I am concerned about the swaying on the MA-550 as
compared to the typical triangle style Heights> tower. Any comments will be
appreciated.> > Will be placing an order 12-1-07, can't get the antenna up
until sometime in March. (long story -> HI)> > 73 de - Ron>
_______________________________________________> > > >
_______________________________________________> TowerTalk mailing list>
TowerTalk@contesting.com>
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > >
------------------------------> > Message: 6> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:20:37
+0000> From: RICHARD SOLOMON <w1ksz@q.com>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Tower/Antenna
Work> To: TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>> Message-ID:
<BAY130-W14990B2D8F70A63C88E212E07D0@phx.gbl>> Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"> > Is anyone in the Tucson/Phoenix area interested in
doing a small Tower/Antenna job ?> I have a Rohn 25 base and one section
already installed. I need someone to add one> straight section and a Top
section and install 4 verticals at the top.> I have a Gin Pole and the Rohn
sections in hand. Antennas and Coax are also in hand.> I can handle the ground
system.> > Thanks, Dick, W1KSZ/7> > ------------------------------> > Message:
7> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:09:14 -0500> From: n8de@thepoint.net> Subject: Re:
[TowerTalk] Radial installation machine (homebrew)> To: Bill Cotter
<n4lg@qx.net>> Cc: towertalk@contesting.com, 'Joe Wilkowski' <k8fc@k8fc.com>,
Dan> Hearn <dhearn@air-pipe.com>, K2EK@aol.com, AD5VJ Bob>
<rtnmi@sbcglobal.net>> Message-ID:
<20071118180914.rpw9qvhggg8s8sww@webmail.win.net>> Content-Type: text/plain;
charset=ISO-8859-1; DelSp="Yes";> format="flowed"> > The skil-saw is a waste of
time/money/energy.> Simply using a weighted, flat bed made of wood and having a
'keel > blade' made of steel or thick aluminum is sufficient to make the cut >
in the ground.> A steel or aluminum guide tube, immediately behind the 'keel'
will > plant the radials as deep as the tube 'rides'.> Mine leave radials about
4-6 inches deep.> Don> N8DE> > Quoting Bill Cotter <n4lg@qx.net>:> > > Several
years ago, a fellow ham here in KY was figuring out how to> > get hundreds of
radials under his array. He didn't want to lay them> > on the surface, and have
the grass 'absorb' them, but rather he> > wanted them in the soil an inch or
two. He had no intention of> > plowing or trenching by hand, so he figured out
a clever design of> > a radial installation tool.> >> > What he did was to
purchase a cheap electric 'skil saw' from> > K-mart, and installed a carbide
blade. He built a wooden frame that> > held the saw, a roll of #16, a steel
guide tube, wheels and weights.> >> > He attached the wire exiting from the
steel tube to the vertical> > element, and would pull this contraption away
from the radiator to> > it's final distance. The reel of wire played out
through the steel> > tube that followed in the cut trench. At the end, he
simply snipped> > the wire, and started over with the next radial.> >> > It
sounds dangerous, but from what I saw it was very controlled> > cutting,
placement of the wire, and the weight of the machine kept> > the blade in the
ground a good three inches.> >> > 73 bill n4lg> >> >> > At 11:00 AM 11/18/2007,
Dan Hearn wrote:> >> I recall that many years ago someone in one of the ham
magazines> >> showed a> >> radial planting device which was mounted to a low
platform with> >> wheels that> >> could be towed like a trailer. He used one of
his kids sitting on the> >> platform to hold it down. This might be the
simplist way to plant> >> radials.> >> 73, Dan, N5AR> >>> >> -----Original
Message-----> >> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> >>
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of AD5VJ Bob> >> Sent:
Saturday, November 17, 2007 7:52 PM> >> To: 'Joe Wilkowski'; K2EK@aol.com;
towertalk@contesting.com> >> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment
Suggestions> >>> >>> >> Now this is truly worth mentioning. Thanks for the
idea. I am> >> going to work> >> on something I hope I can pull behind my
riding lawn> >> mower. I have been trying to think of a way to do it
economically> >> and this> >> gives me an idea.> >>> >> Will it work through
rocky soil also?> >>> >> tnx Bob AD5VJ> >>> >> > -----Original Message-----> >>
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> >> >
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Joe> >> Wilkowski> >> >
Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 1:23 PM> >> > To: K2EK@aol.com;
towertalk@contesting.com> >> > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment
Suggestions> >> >> >> > Bill, sorry I have not been able to get to this for a
couple> >> > of days. I read your post below and as they say a picture is> >> >
worth a thousand words.> >> > http://www.k8fc.com/radial_plow.htm> >> >> >> >
Anyway, I originally built this to lay electric fence> >> > underground for pet
containment but found it to be very> >> > useful for other ham radio endeavors.
I have successfully> >> > laid countless thousands of feet of wire with this
tool.> >> > Also, I have dug trenches for buried hardline and control> >> >
cables with out a hitch.> >> >> >> > Probably overkill for you but it may
inspire a couple of ideas.> >> >> >> > Joe K8FC> >> > ----- Original Message
-----> >> > From: <K2EK@aol.com>> >> > To: <towertalk@contesting.com>> >> >
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 5:00 PM> >> > Subject: [TowerTalk] Cable
Treatment Suggestions> >> >> >> >> >> > > Ever since I moved here I always seem
to have some LONG> >> > cable run that> >> > > needs> >> > > to be buried just
enough to avoid a mower encounter....> >> > >> >> > > The really large
hard-line run, plus assorted control> >> > cables, beverage> >> > > cable,> >>
> > shack cable bundle, etc... (probably 800 feet worth), were> >> > handled
with a> >> > > rental trencher. Worked great. Not inexpensive plus a> >> > few
hours driving> >> > > and a> >> > > 100 miles of back and forth gas... Not
conducive to> >> > impulse creation.> >> > >> >> > > Has anyone here ever built
or acquired a simple, small plow> >> > blade, scoop,> >> > > digger suitable
for a decent sized garden tractor yet> >> > capable of digging> >> > > enough>
>> > > trench to bury control line, RG6 bev lines or even a run of> >> > RG8 (I
use> >> > > that> >> > > generically).... Something in the 1 - 2 inch deep by 1
or> >> > 2 inch wide> >> > > category....> >> > >> >> > > 73 de Bill> >> > >
K2EK> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > > ************************************** See
what's new at> >> > > http://www.aol.com> >> > >
_______________________________________________> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >
_______________________________________________> >> > > TowerTalk mailing list>
>> > > TowerTalk@contesting.com> >> > >
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> > >> >> >> >> >
_______________________________________________> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >
_______________________________________________> >> > TowerTalk mailing list>
>> > TowerTalk@contesting.com> >> >
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> >> >>> >>
_______________________________________________> >>> >>> >>> >>
_______________________________________________> >> TowerTalk mailing list> >>
TowerTalk@contesting.com> >>
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >>> >>> >>
_______________________________________________> >>> >>> >>> >>
_______________________________________________> >> TowerTalk mailing list> >>
TowerTalk@contesting.com> >>
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> >
_______________________________________________> >> >> >> >
_______________________________________________> > TowerTalk mailing list> >
TowerTalk@contesting.com> >
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> > > > > >
------------------------------> >
_______________________________________________> TowerTalk mailing list>
TowerTalk@contesting.com>
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > End of TowerTalk
Digest, Vol 59, Issue 56> *****************************************
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