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Re: [TowerTalk] tower talk

To: <k4za@juno.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] tower talk
From: Donald Hofmann <electroubleshooter@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:53:04 -0600
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Thanks for the input. To answer some of your questions. The windload of the 
antennas (HF beam & 2M/440 beam), rotor and mast should be 8 sq. ft. I will use 
a 87,000 psi steel mast 10' long with 6' above the top of the tower. Standing 
on the top and tying on to the mast to install the 2M/440 beam shouldn't be a 
safety hazard (as far as the mast bending). Concerning guy wire spacing, from 
what I have read 60-80% is ok. Mine would be right at 70%. The ARRL Antenna 
book recommends the guys at the top of the tower instead of 5' down as Rohn 
says. The shifting soil problem is not fixable. Houses in this area crack and 
shift. A new house next to me has concrete piers 20' deep and their house still 
moves. We have clay which in the summer drys and shrinks and when wet, swells 
and expands.  Any more help is appreciated.> To: 
electroubleshooter@hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:42:32 -0500> Subject: 
tower talk> From: k4za@juno.com> > hi Don:> > Well...since the tower has 
shifted ov
 er time, perhaps you should consider> having a soil analysis done--your county 
extension agent can probably> help you.> > Since it has shifted, climbing it 
w/o even temporary guys (use steel!!)> is probably not the smartest idea in the 
world. Don't do it!> > Since you do not say what antenna (load) you intend 
putting up there,> it's difficult to comment on your decision to use a flat top 
& bearing,> et cetera. The flat top is a good idea if you indeed use a thrust> 
bearing.> Having the guys right at the very top of the tower isn't such a 
swell> idea, however, as it makes tramming loads up more problematic....most> 
modern rotators are designed to hold/carry the load w/o trouble.> > Nor is 
standing up there (depending upon what you choose/use for mast> material) 
perhaps such an easy solution, either! > > Hams often stick lonnnnnngggg masts 
in their tower & affix lots of> antennas to them, when simply making the tower 
taller is a wiser choice,> hi...> > Regarding guys: I would 
 suggest taller guy posts--or further in the> ground than 3 ft w/4 ft out. 
Depending on the post material, I'd> certainly make certain I belled out the 
bottoms of those holes,> especially considering the tower has already shifted! 
Indeed, I not use> a round post, but an I-beam or channel instead--to help 
prevent such> shifting. If you do use posts, consider putting some rebar inside 
along> w/concrete. Rohn specs call for 22-ft & 45-ft spacing on the tower, out> 
80%. Since you're limited to closer spacing, using the elevated posts is> a 
good idea. I'd stick w/that recommendation. > > Regarding catenary: I'd use SS 
aircraft cable instead of EHS for the> catenary line. It's way more flexible 
(which is a good thing for this> application) & lighter & readily available. 
Cable ties should work fine> (use UV ones). You do not need to worry about the 
flexing vis-a-vis your> coax in my opinion. No need to tie things to it 
loosely--that'll create> more problems than it solves. Make the 
 bundle as tight & small as> possible.> Anything from 213 to the LMRs will be 
fine. Again, w/o knowing the> frequencies in questions, it's impossible to 
comment on loss factors. > > Welcome to the hobby; it's the best there is!> > 
GL & vy 73 Don K4ZA> > Tower Works> Charlotte NC> > 
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