Aloha from an Island far Away,
Far away from competant tower workers, that is. I would appreciate
some advice.
Am still in quandry about what to do with the collapsed MA-550 tubular,
on which the cable broke last week. Have considered a number of
options: leaving it down and using as is, with the beam around 25 feet
above the ground (of course the boom is broken and still to be
repaired or replace, been rainy and pretty heavy winds ever since
the drop); replacing the cable, welding the tower up a bit higher, etc.
Fundamental problem is a tight working space; will be difficult to lower
tower to a tilted position because of overgrowth of trees, etc. since
it went up 7 years ago. With the beam removed via ladder work,
the tubular device could be lowered, but to remove it would require
cooperation from a neighbor who probably won't! So that leaves
the use of a crane.
Solution would seem ( if to do other than use "as is") to be to hire help.
Someone either who would work up there via a "cherry picker" lifted
bucket, or someone with a crane who could lift the tower over
into the front area of our home where it could be laid on the
ground and the cable restrung, or the thing welded up to
some height, then replaced by crane again; then the lift
bucket used to put the tower on top.
Have no idea if a firm exists on the island to do this sort of thing, and
cannot afford to have someone fly out from the mainland, hi!
Another option, is just to call US Tower and order a new MA-550 basic
assembly, and replace the present unit. This could probably be done,
lowering the present one, after removing the remaining beam parts on
top via an extension ladder tied into place. Lowering the empty tower
low enough for a few guys to lift it from the rotating base, and replacing
with a new one could probably be accomplished with minimal fooling
around with tree trimming, fence removal, etc. I think this might work,
even with out the neighbors cooperation, if I could round up enough
willing help, otherwise, back to a crane again. This just might
be the only solution unless just use the thing as it sits now.
I know, I have to decide what to do. All this as the strong fellows who
helped in January to put up the C4 are gone now from the island. I
am not good up at heights, especially on a ladder, and my son does
not have a good back, and really dose not have the time to take from
his work to fool with all of this!
Any thoughts on best/ proper way to proceed?
73, Jim, KH7M
On the Garden Island of Kauai
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