Rob:
Generally, the 72' tower at this QTH is parked just shy of 100%, unless bad
WX threatens or we are leaving town.Then it is motored down to around 50% or
all the way (about 22' fully tested). Over time, I'd guess the tower
averages about 50% height, and averages full-height about 30% of the time
(remainder is probably maintenance or extremely severe wind or ice).
These very conservative habits are not because the tower demands it, but
because I have no requriement to push the envelope and I sure as hell don't
want to go to the labor/expense of repair/replace. If you buy and build
conservative, then use the installation conservative, you'll only need to
make the investment once.
You should not need to give special treatment in winter (or other seasons),
but quarterly inspection & maintenance will find and repair normal wear &
tear, weathering, etc. This effort will keep your tower/antenna system
operating safely and reliably almost indefinitely.
On the other hand, it is wise to use these machines frequently. They'll run
better if they are exercised frequently.
Good luck & 73
Dan
K0DAN
PS Here's a photo (scroll down below center of web page) of our tower at
about 80% height (60 feet?) during an ice storm that loaded all trees,
antennas, and everything else, with about 1" of raidal ice. It was scary,
immobile, and ugly, but everything survived with no ill effects. We are in
the Kansas City area. http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2002/02/13/3/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Atkinson, K5UJ" <k5uj@hotmail.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 5:18 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Question for crank owners
> Got a question for crank-up owners:
>
> Do you crank up your towers only when you are operating, i.e. 95% of the
> time they are nested and only go up when you turn on the rig and start
> looking for a qso, or....
>
> Do you mostly leave them cranked all the way up and only nest them when
> leaving town for a few days, or when wx threatens such as high winds
and/or
> lightning?
>
> I'm trying to get an idea of what these things are built to do: Lots of
> cranking up and down, or extension and retraction only meant to be done
once
> in a while.
>
> Oh yeah one other thing for you guys in the North: Do you have to do
> anything special to operate them in the winter--do they need any TLC with
> snow and ice or low temp.?
>
> tnx,
>
> rob / k5uj
>
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> _______________________________________________
>
> 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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>
_______________________________________________
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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