One final suggestion - Make your tower base a few inches higher than the
surrounding earth. I always make my pours 4 inches higher. This will allow
water to run off the base during a rain instead of possibly standing on the
base. Which would eventually allow rust to begin. You can even put a slight
angle on the base top so water runs off rapidly, but if you do that then
don't overdo the angle of the top of the base as only 1 or 2 degrees is
necessary.
The watering of the base after pouring is needed too to help prevent
premature drying. Just water the base like it was your grass daily for the
1st week. Some suggest watering for the full curing time.
Waiting 28 days before erecting the tower works fine if you use standard
concrete that has no added chemicals to speed drying. Added chemicals only
cut the dry time in half anyway and the added cost is really not worth it if
you can just wait the additional 2 weeks. There is a lot of work that can be
completed around the base after a week and the forms are removed. That will
probably keep you busy enough not to notice the time passing and at the end
of the month you will be ready to complete the job. Great time to complete
the grounding system, run your coax and cables, and so forth.
One other thing when I pour a base I always attach the bottom section of the
tower so I can make certain that it will be straight. I check it with a
level and also place a leveling plum in the inside of the tower and let it
hang down to about the bolts to make sure it is hanging in the center as it
should. One look and it will show you if you are off.
You probably already know these things, but I thought it may be a point that
could easily be overlooked. I certainly hope you will be delighted with the
end result.
73
John, KA9OFM
On 7/31/06, K7LXC@aol.com <K7LXC@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> In a message dated 7/31/2006 11:20:47 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> john@iguanavilla.com writes:
>
> > I'm guessing that the earth was already disturbed from installing the
> 9 ft
> square x 1 1/2 ft. thick footing that the manufacture (AN Wireless)
> recommends.
>
>
> Well, sort of. The undisturbed part is the sides. Obviously the
> dirt
> you dig out is disturbed but since it doesn't have anything to do with
> the
> base installation, it's a non-issue.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve K7LXC
> TOWER TECH -
> Professional tower services for hams
> Cell: 206-890-4188
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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