It's too bad that you don't have the bottom section. I understand the weight
issue with placing it there for the pour. We have 2 iron horses that are
placed outside the base hole and use 2 heavy angle irons that go between the
horses (3" angle with 1/4" wall) , and one angle has 2 upright angle irons
and the one has 1 upright angle iron on them. These clap into the tower for
the added support during the pour and the curing and they also help you to
get and keep it all in plumb.
Since you don't have the bottom section just try to make sure that what you
setup stays that way when the pour is being done and check it throughout the
pour. There are ways to make adjustments once the base is setup but it is
much easier if you have what you want when you begin.
73
John, KA9OFM
On 8/1/06, JC Smith <jc-smith@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Hi John,
>
> Yes, my plans call for ~6" above the soil level. I'm on a slight slope
> (3" - 4" fall over the 9' the hole covers) and I've been pondering whether
> to just do the top of the pier parallel to the ground or do it horizontal
> with a crown in the center. I'm thinking it will look a little a little
> more professional if it's horizontal so I'll probably do that (with the
> crown). That's how I did my other tower and the water runs off great.
>
> I don't have the bottom section of the tower yet, and it's very heavy
> anyway
> (279 lbs.) and would be difficult to work with while leveling the base.
> Also, it's not a parallel-sided tower so I have to use a different
> technique
> to get the base level and plumb. I'm practicing with the base outside the
> hole right now, to develop the best technique and a jig to do it once I
> get
> in the hole with the rebar, etc. I also got some hints from the
> manufacturer on how to do all that. I must admit, this is the scariest
> part
> of the project (to me anyway)... a lot scarier even than working 80' above
> the ground to install the antennas. You only get one shot at pouring the
> base.
>
> Thanks for your advice.
>
> 73 - JC, K0HPS
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of KA9OFM John Garrett
> Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 10:29 PM
> To: jc-smith@comcast.net; K7LXC@aol.com; towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] 80' tower in SF Bay area (update)
>
> 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
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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