John, I guess "expensive" or "difficult" are relative. What I have wanted
for a long time was an oil derrick but I was never in sync with the
boom-bust cycle of the oil production industry so that I could get one on
the cheap. I have a desire for an elevated observation platform and a
crank-up tower with provisions for easy antenna maint. It is possible to
separate the two items and attain them separately but I don't think that is
a superior solution.
I concur that the 40 ft tall tower base is heavy duty but for its capability
I don't think $285 and some sweat equity is expensive. I'm just guessing at
burying 15 ft or so of the crank-up below the bases 40 ft height. If my
mechanical engineer approves and we develop a plan that mounts a free
standing tower at or near the top of the 40 ft base then the $285 buys even
more functionality and reduces the cost of the crank-up even more. We
haven't explored all of the possibilities yet.
When I peruse the Texas Towers catalog prices and compare costs vs
heights/windloads I think the 40 foot tower base is a bargain so far as
offsetting the cost for height and wind load of the taller towers required
sans the platform in question. And of course there is the observation
platform function. Just imagine relaxing on a chaise lounge under a canvas
sun cover sipping a cold beverage and smelling the steaks searing on the
BBQ. Oh did I forget to mention the gas grill? and the little dorm room
size refrigerator? Also the extra 40 ft of elevation gets my line of sight
up above some brushy obstructions and puts me approximately level with
another part of my property where the targets are arrayed for our 100, 200,
300, 500, 1000 yd target range. I think the 40 foot observation deck will
make a great place from which to control RC models as well. I'm sure when
given time and not concentrating on the short term work at hand I will think
of additional uses for the tower/platform which will give it even more
versatility and value.
Patrick AF5C
-----Original Message-----
From: john@kk9a.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 4:34 PM
To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Relatively large tower base install questions
This sounds like a very expensive and heavy platform just to access an
antenna on your crank up tower.
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