I'd agree that instructions aren't needed for simple towers, but some of the
US Tower models have complex features that could use a little explanation.
For example, there are a handful of important things you need to know about
installing the rotor coupling to keep the MARB rotating base tubular towers
from binding. I received virtually no documentation on my towers and had to
get this info from the president of UST (Bruce.) A simple instruction sheet
would have saved hours of frustration on my part and would have saved UST
time and money as well (I have to assume Bruce can make more money for UST
by doing things other than customer service.) There is absolutely nothing
about adjusting the rotating base that could cause liability for UST. In
fact, without such instructions there is a possibility that the tower and/or
rotor could be damaged by improper adjustment. That's a potential liability
for UST.
Another example involves dressing the antenna cables on the motorized
version. If you don't use very flexible coax (e.g., *not* LMR400UF),
position the standoffs just right, and take precautions to isolate the base
from the coax, the coax can snag and pull the whole tower down. I know,
because it happened to me! I was lucky -- the antenna balun exploded,
releasing the coax, before the wire rope snapped or a pulley broke. UST
doesn't provide any information about this -- they don't even tell you
whether they recommend fixing the coax to the standoffs or letting it drop
straight through (Bruce said the latter.) I had a professional installer
advising me and he didn't know the answer, either, because he had not
installed one of these towers before. It seems ridiculous that you would
have to hire only a UST-trained installer to put up a UST tower. Again, how
could instructions about dressing the coax cause liability to UST? The lack
thereof might have caused severe damage to my tower, and you can bet I would
have sought relief from UST!
I disagree with LXC about recabling the tower, at least as regards the
tubular towers. Bruce told me that it can be done by the owner, at least for
the MA-770 and smaller towers. He roughly described the procedure to me. The
only tubular model requiring an assembly jig is the 89' version, in which
the second section from the bottom is too heavy to slide out without an
overhead lift. Of course, you can take all this with a grain of salt: Bruce
also told me that he had a tech writer and lawyer working on a full-color
manual for the MA- series towers, complete with recabling diagrams. That was
over 5 years ago and I don't believe any such manual ever saw the light of
day.
In contrast, I have a copy of the old Wilson tubular crankup installation
manual. Although it doesn't give instructions for restringing the cable, it
is very detailed with nice illustrations and parts explosion diagrams. Lots
of good info. It even has instructions for dressing the coax. I don't see
why UST couldn't produce something similar.
73, Dick WC1M
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-admin@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-admin@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Steve Katz
> Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 5:50 PM
> To: 'Scott & Sherry Souva'; towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: RE: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware
>
>
> I'm puzzled as to what kind of instructions anyone needs for a tower.
>
> Isn't buying the correct base and installing that in the
> prescribed hole and
> amount of concrete all we really need to know?
>
> I've put up an awful lot of towers without any instructions; not sure what
> I'd do with instructions if I had any.
>
> I take that back. My refrigerator, microwave oven, washing machine, and
> even my pool sweep came with instructions, and I still have them,
> somewhere,
> in the cute plastic covers they came in. So, I can sell any one
> of these as
> "complete with brand new instructions, never opened."
>
> -WB2WIK/6
>
> "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." -
> Mario Andretti
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Scott & Sherry Souva [SMTP:ssouva@twcny.rr.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 2:33 PM
> > To: towertalk@contesting.com
> > Subject: Re: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware
> >
> > I find this hard to believe. When I purchased my lawn
> ornament, US Tower
> > was so efficient they sent the installation instructions and just about
> > every piece of paperwork several months ahead of receiving my
> tower. With
> > that said, I am quite qualified to accept any additional 55' US Towers
> > here
> > in Upstate NY because I have the instructions to handle such items.
> >
> > Scott Souva
> > KG2S
> > ssouva@twcny.rr.com
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "David L. Thompson" <thompson@mindspring.com>
> > To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> > Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 11:40 PM
> > Subject: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware
> >
> >
> > > I have two e-mails (from 2 different hams) and a phone call
> from a local
> > > that all tell me no manual or instructions are sent with any
> tower these
> > > days. 5 Years ago they continued to provide a manual and
> complete base
> > > instructions. Without the base instructions the towers are
> worthless!!
> > >
> > > I hope this is just a small problem but one fellow said he
> has both a 89
> > ft
> > > and 72 ft tower and neither had any material with them. He had to get
> > > someone to copy the material for him.
> > >
> > > This does not make good business sense as a faulty install
> would put UST
> > at
> > > more risk than ever!
> > >
> > > Please tell me its not so.
> > >
> > > Dave K4JRB
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
> > > See http://www.mscomputer.com
> > >
> > > Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
> > > 888-333-9041 for additional information.
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Towertalk mailing list
> > > Towertalk@contesting.com
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> > >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
> > See http://www.mscomputer.com
> >
> > Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
> > 888-333-9041 for additional information.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Towertalk mailing list
> > Towertalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
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