Lee,
I stopped climbing towers some time ago. I was never comfortable asking
anyone to volunteer to climb my tower and work on the antennas. When I moved
to my current QTH, a small S. Texas town, I decided that it was time to stop
climbing (now 60+). I checked around and found that there were two companies
in the general area that do tower building and tower work. They were bonded.
I bought all the stuff to build the tower and the owner came over made a
couple of suggestions. He gave me a price of $1500 to build the 120 ft guyed
tower and put the two antennas on top. Since that time, if I need a rotator
replaced or other small job, I call and he sends out one or two guys for
$50/person per hour. Usually an hour is all it takes.
We live in a pretty depressed area so you might not be able to match those
prices but I bet you can find companies to do this kind of work in your
area. I think that ham radio would be a lot less appealing if you had some
young fellow fall off your tower while doing you a favor.
Bill, W5VX
>-----Original Message-----
>From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-
>bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Lee Buller
>Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 8:43 AM
>To: TowerTalk Reflector
>Subject: [TowerTalk] Plenty of Ham Friends who climb towers
>
>
>
>This is more of a Lament that anything. A subscriber commented in the
>StepPIR vs any other antenna war....that he has plenty of ham friends to
>climb a tower.
>
>Well, try that in Kansas....with all the guys in our club pushing 60 and
>above with about three guys below the age of 40. Yes, we try to get young
>people involved, but most are not interested. The last class we had were
>all retirees wanting something to do...or...people interested in
>Disaster/Terrorist/ParaMilitary operations. These are the guys who want to
>have a mobile radio and a handitalkie on their belt. Not general run of
>the mill guys interested in radio/electronics/antennas/etc.
>
>I am sure there are other people out there living in the "hinterlands" that
>have the same issues....lack of Ham Friends in the immediate locale. RATS!
>If I need tower work done, my good buddies, AB0S and W0NO, have to drive 2
>hours. Well, that is par for the course in Kansas...at least iit is flat
>and straight roads and you can run 75 MPH.
>
>Flame suit on....
>
>Lee - K0WA
>PS I have plenty of non ham friends ... but they don't climb either
>
>
>In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you
>don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you
>can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common
>Sense. Is Common Sense devine?
>_______________________________________________
>
>
>
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