TT: I installed a set of trailer hitch connectors at the base of my tower for the rotator control lines for just that reason. I can disconnect the control box from its own trailer hitch connector in
Stan: I posted this http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/Towertalk/2006-03/msg00168.html based on my own experience with my first and only self-supporting tower back in 2001. I believe the vari
Bryan: I concur with Joe. Move the pier-and-pad (P-A-P) away from the house. The way this design works is the vertical pier transfers the overturning forces from the tower/wind to the pad. The pad th
Hans: When you use a flat, heavy structure lying on top of the ground as a foundation for a tower, you're essentially looking at a steroidal version of a non-penetrating roof mount http://www.rohnnet
TT: I never use this word, as it's too frequently heard in meaningless conversation today but, in this case, it applies: Awesome! 73 de Gene Smar AD3F P.S. Another word also comes to mind: "Fargo." F
Ed: I'm using the Polyphasor models on the control line inside a steel box that also has my SPG plate outside the shack. In addition, I wound the control cable at the top of the tower, just before it
He did it without gloves. My palms were sweating watching the video! I also noticed he climbed by grabbing the outside of the rope ladders, not the rungs. That's how you don't get your fingers steppe
TT: If the wind were to blow normal to one face of a tower, the opposite single leg would be the weakest. Assuming the cross-bracing holds (does not fail) upon exposure to high winds, the windward le
Allen: To add to the "rules of thumb" on this subject, when I designed power substations for my local electric utility, we spec'ed conduit large enough so that the ultimate fill occupied only 40% of
Jim T.: I concur that 'AX and 'LXC's book is well worth the price. It convinced me to go with the Bencher Skyhawk vs the F12 offerings at that time. (Same specs, lower $.) 73 de Gene Smar AD3F As I r
Or you can check with The RF Connection (www.therfc.com). Joel, the proprietor, is a good guy. (Disclaimer: He and I are both PVRC members.) 73 de Gene Smar AD3F check with AIR802 for the LMR600 conn
Blair: When I worked as a designer of electrical substations for my local utility company years ago, we did just that: ran conduit sweeps up through the middle of a concrete structural foundation for
Blair: Instead of the weatherhead (expensive), you can use two pieces of PVC elbow joined together to make a 180 degree turn at the top of the conduit. You'll need a straight joint to connect the two
Kent: There are a couple of things folks do to keep the ends of rebar off the dirt at the bottom of excavations. One is to purchase commercial blocks that have tie wires built in. The name escapes me
TT: This advice against using common face brick to support rebar cages reminded me - I did not use such brick in my tower's foundation. I actually used the gray cement/concrete brick. I was reminded
Pat: In a similar vein, the Trylon Titan series of SS towers has diagonal bracing. It's not difficult to climb (I go up by straddling a leg rather than in the middle of a tower face.) However, workin
TT: The referenced grout is THERMALLY-conductive according to the link. Says nothing about its electrical conductivity. This material is used to grout the vertical bore holes that contain the heat tr
TT: It's actually "megger." http://www.megger.com/us/products/ProductDetailsBySubGroup.php?PSGC=I104&BS=I . 73 de Gene Smar AD3F Please use the correct tool not a ohm meter but a merger. Paul W3PLP S
TT: First of all, I am not a lawyer, so Caveat Amateur. I found a definition of "curtilage" at http://thelawdictionary.org/curtilage/ . To my reading, it seems that the proposed Texas statute specifi
Shawn: Put the coax runs in an oversized PVC conduit (suggest 4") and be done with it. At the low spots, install a PVC T, open side down and covered with landscaping fabric to let accumulated water d