This is excellent advise from Jim. I've noted that
"things" (knee, shoulder, elbow, etc.) certainly don't
heal near as fast as they used to. Two years ago, I
injured a shoulder replacing a balun and it ached, on
and off, for 4-5 months. I just got into a wierd
position and that was all it took. I was trying to
hurry, it was getting dark, etc. My brain still tells
me I'm in my 20s but my 50-some body keeps reminding
me that it not. I'd rather spend the money on the
right people and tools to do the job safely than on
medical bills! GL to all on their summer projects and
stay safe.
73, Stew K3ND
--- Jim Idelson <k1ir@designet.com> wrote:
> 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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