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Re: [TowerTalk] Very new to this

Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Very new to this
From: Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 15:00:28 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I agree - you really need a lot more info. For the huge amount of dollars asked for a 42-foot one of these, I'd at least want to know how many square feet of antenna it could take. I couldn't find this info on the F12 web site. Also, these things do not appear to be available over 100 MPH rating, which may be far from enough on a hurricane coast. Frankly, the whole thing makes me queasy - F12 is not known as a maker of towers, and the company has changed hasnds since these towers were introduced. It would be excruciating to pay that much and find out that you had nothing but a telescoping flagpole.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 7/3/2013 1:23 PM, Dino Darling wrote:
Overkill! Are you guys even familiar with this small, light weight,
portable, aluminum "crank up tower"?!

If I was going to set up a portable unit, I'd get ne of these...maybe.
How thick do you guys think your average walkway on the side of your
house is...or a sidewalk...or a driveway?

Maybe because I've actually installed similar light weight towers, I see
things different.

Dino - KX6D
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Very new to this
From: Larry Loen <lwloen@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, July 03, 2013 7:54 am
To: Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr@contesting.com>
Cc: towertalk@contesting.com

I agree with N4ZR here.

Find out what is required, especially of the base. It isn't just
something
to keep the tower from sliding around. It is the _foundation_ of the
whole
tower. The house bracket can be thought of as merely an alternative to
guying at the corresponding height.

The base AND the bracket needs to be engineered by somebody who knows,
you
know, engineering. That definitely includes how the bracket is attached.

Even a small tower is a potentially serious thing. Do you really want to
have it toppled over after having taken a big chunk out of your roof?
Somebody who knows engineering can help with this. And, the expense need
not be all that great. Maybe 300 to 500 bucks. Cheap compared to a bad
outcome. Might even be needed by the local county zoning board anyway.



Larry Wo0Z

On Wed, Jul 3, 2013 at 5:48 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr@contesting.com>
wrote:

I can't overstress Dan's first point - do what the manufacturer says.
 From the web site: " LPT's need to be either bracketed to house or
vehicle, guyed or rigid guy supported."

Are you buying this new, or used? In either case, I would get in touch
with the company. They also say

/*"Standard: */12" x 12" base for (4) foundation bolts, 40:1 worm winch

/*Options*:/ House brackets, powder coat finish, X-base, T-bar extensions,
rigid guys hidden cable, 5th section (2" square), custom-cut section
lengths"

House brackets for a Rohn 25 tower are a whole different animal - but any
house bracket may require reinforcement of the wall to which it is mounted.
I recall an article a few years ago about putting 2X6 braces in an attic
to hold the bracket securely

There is no illustration for the 1242 or the other taller ones, but the
smaller ones make it pretty clear that what they are talking about is
guying or bracketing the base section, because the upper sections move up
and down. Still, call and ask them!


73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 7/2/2013 10:51 PM, K0DAN wrote:

It depends on what you buy (follow mfgr specs) however if you are going
to do a house-bracketed tower, see if you can download the Rohn specs for
their Model 25 tower, which, if IRC requires a small pad and allows maybe
20-30' above the roof bracket, depending on your antenna + wind load. The
Rohn specs may not be the right match for your new tower, but they will
help you understand what is required of you for a qualified installation.
All this assumes your state/local governments won't require you to jump
thru other hoops.

Later comes grounding, choice of antennas, rotor, feedlines, etc., etc.,
however the Rohn specs are easily obtained and will get you in the ballpark.

Also, as plugged by others, the "UP THE TOWER" book (
http://www.championradio.com/**UP-THE-TOWER-The-Complete-**
Guide-To-Tower-Construction.1<http://www.championradio.com/UP-THE-TOWER-The-Complete-Guide-To-Tower-Construction.1>)
contains a wealth of information...if this is your first tower, the book
will pay for itself many times over.

Good luck and 73

Dan
K0DAN

-----Original Message----- From: PHILIP GRAITCER
Sent: July 02, 2013 21:22
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Very new to this

After 55 years in amateur radio, I am about to get my first tower, a
Force 12 LPT42. I live on a salt marsh, directly facing the ocean, hence
the need for a low profile.

But once the tower comes, I have no idea how to get it up. I am planning
to pour a pad and strap it to the house.

But can this collective braintrust point me to a how to manual, or even
someone in the South Georgia area who can guide me?

Thanks,
Phil, W3HZZ


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