This is in response to BOTH K4XS and K3GM . . . a bit of friendly advice.
You risk injury to yourself when you attempt to do a job the hard way or with
less than optimum budget/tools. Even with the right tools, you want to use the
right procedures, work slowly and stay healthy.
A few anecdotes to consider:
When I installed the anchors for my tower about eight years ago, I dug the
holes by hand. In one location, we ran into a very large boulder about 2 feet
down. It wasn't large enough to anchor into, so it had to come out. A second
anchor was designed to be set into solid granite ledge. I rented an air powered
jack hammer and drill setup to do the job myself. With three of us leaning on
the tool, it only took three days to get the results we were looking for. I
spent some serious moths in physical therapy getting my right shoulder healed
after that weekend. I could have avoided trouble if I had spent a few extra
bucks when the job got bigger than I could handle.
A few years ago, I assisted y good friend, K1NU, with the installation of his
new tower. Also set deep in the woods, he had the brains to call in the experts
to pour the concrete. In this case, the concrete pumper was positioned in the
driveway, and many sections of concrete hose were assembled to deliver the pour
to each hole. This was a true pleasure. There was no pain or strain, and the
concrete was in the holes in fairly short order. The only thing you need to be
aware of is that the concrete remaining in the hose at the end of the pour is
yours. You have to pay for it, and you have to figure out how to dispose of it.
If you do nothing, the concrete guy will just empty each section on the ground
as he disconnects them. Len was smart; he brought in the right tools and
expertise for the job.
Last fall, a few days before CQ WW SSB, K1RX and others came here to help
install the new Optibeam OB4-40. We trammed it up and Mark and I climbed to
secure it to the ring rotor. Well, it turns out that the antenna wasn't
perfectly balanced, and Mark got the job of putting in the bolts. I was left
with the job of keeping this monster horizontal while he searched for the bolt
holes. It wasn't easy. Physical therapy for the left shoulder started in
January when the pain wouldn't go away, and its still not gone. I'll be seeing
an orthopedic surgeon about it next week. Not sure how I could have avoided
that one . . . maybe a crane . . .
Anyway, I sure hope we'll hear that Bill and Tom are both taking conservative
approaches and that their projects turn out great. Pay now so you don't have to
pay later. Be healthy.
73,
Jim Idelson K1IR
email k1ir at designet.com
web http://www.designet.com/k1ir
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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