In a message dated 12/17/2005 9:03:36 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> Can I get some feed back from you guys on experience with
Crank Up towers?
> 1. Is it the way to go?
Pros and cons
Cons - increased mechanically/electrical complexity; much more expensive
than other similar antenna structures; potentially fatal cable failures;
sometimes dangerous to work on. Check out the TT archives for discussions of
guys trying to find replacement motors, winches, etc. - they are numerous.
Pros - I can't think of any.
> 2. Who makes a good one (inexpensive)
example: Hazer is too expensive
If you think a Hazer is too expensive, wait until you price out a
moderately equipped crank-up! A crank-up is the MOST expensive antenna support
you
can buy.
US Tower is the 800 pound gorilla. They make a good product and offer
good customer support. There is an aluminum crank-up out there but it's even
more expensive and is very fragile compared to a steel tower. Tri-Ex crank-ups
are being sold but I don't have anything good to say about their customer
service.
There are lots of used ones out there from Hy-Gain, EZ Tower, Tri-Ex,
and others but there you're getting a pig-in-a-poke reliability-wise.
What's your local windspeed rating? What's your proposed antenna system?
The gotcha with crank-ups is that they typically can't be rated at more than
moderate windspeeds and windloads. They're only rated at the factory specs
at 70 MPH - the lowest windspeed rating used.
I think that a lot of people buy a crank-up thinking that it's easier to
work on antennas and such. If everything is installed properly, why would
you have to work on anything? I think people spend money for this when they
really don't have to.
Of course there are spouses that would prefer a crank-up and other
aesthetic reasons for buying one but the only reason I've ever heard of that
truly
justifies one is N6RJ who convinced his neighbors it would only be extended
after dark.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for commercial and amateur
Cell: 206-890-4188
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|