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Re: [TowerTalk] Raising Towers

To: "Hector Garcia,XE2K" <j_hector_garcia@sbcglobal.net>, "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Raising Towers
From: Jim Lux <jimlux@earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2013 13:37:32 -0800
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
On 12/26/13 11:27 AM, Hector Garcia,XE2K wrote:
This is exactly an example of what is happening in the last months in
the reflector
CRITICIZE others post an not a positive output

My comments weren't intended as criticism.. Just as another viewpoint.


I was pointing a few possible problems to show to others what can happen
or give another possibility
to do not put in risk life or property  but what was the response?
supportive?  destructive?

Indeed.. but one aspect that comes up a LOT on TT is the whole thing of "code compliance" or "good engineering practice". Whether it's guying, strength of materials, or grounding practices, there's a huge amount of room to maneuver, depending on what one's risk acceptance strategy is.

I think that the original topic here was an excellent example of someone who has a situation where "if it falls down, nobody will care, other than the builder", which is decidedly not the case when the local planning department is asking for wet stamped drawings from a PE (or maybe it is, and asking for excessive documentation is a way to restrict antennas and towers).

I didn't see anything fundamentally "unsafe" in the pictures. Unlike a lot of field day pictures you see, there's nobody standing underneath the towers being pulled up, so if his manky tow rope does fail, he winds up with some bent scrap metal, not a trip to the ER or a call to the coroner.

One can be "over-cautious" ( I think that characterizes much of what I do at JPL.. we are definitely risk-averse), and the most useful discussions on TT are where one finds out where one can do something that is "not the optimum".

And a lot we do in ham radio, as a matter of course, is not "code-compliant" and that's hopefully done with an appreciation of the risks being taken.

I'll bet very few people with wire antennas follow all the electrical code requirements (copper clad steel, AWG12, etc), but one hopes that they realize the trade they are making: the antenna might come down in a strong wind or when a big bird lands on it; and if it does, hopefully they've situated it so that it doesn't wrap around the local 14.4kV medium voltage feeder. And if it does, hopefully, they've got a decent protective unit bonded to the safety ground system.




If this ham  owns all AZ, not a close neighbor  and his tower fall and
kill him , his  dog or his wife and safety advice  before  can be good?

I think, based on the pictures, that he does have that appreciation. your comments are well taken, but I think have been addressed by the ham in question.




I was thinking this reflector was  to HELP others to make good or right
things, to avoid problems
or save some time and money and keep them ALIVE  not just  to criticize
with no positive output
Criticize is good but giving a better result or to fix others wrong doing

My intention is not to start a war, just share my point and no intention
to offend others with my words, if for some reason  are crude
possible is the result the spanish to english translation process in my
brain
but I try to share and help and give my opinion with the intention to help.

J.Hector Garcia  XE2K / AD6D
Mexicali B.C DM22fp */ *El Centro
P.O.Box 73
El Centro CA 92244-0073
http://xe2k.net
Tweeter @XE2K


------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Jim Lux <jimlux@earthlink.net>
*To:* towertalk@contesting.com
*Sent:* Thursday, December 26, 2013 10:58 AM
*Subject:* Re: [TowerTalk] Raising Towers

On 12/26/13 10:41 AM, Hector Garcia,XE2K wrote:
 > Some very interesting ideas, very ingenious and a lot to avoid
 > I got scare with his double braid rope as lanyard @200ft tower

Well, if you're raising it in your (big) backyard, and you're aware of
the risks, then you can use dental floss if you think it will work.

 > not FAA lights on 200ft towers?
That would be a problem..  Maybe his "200 foot" tower is actually 199
ft, 6", and exempt.

 > those bungee cords as insulators or for  tension ?
I'm thinking some sort of shock absorption.

 > the anchor in the wash
 > no insulators in the guy wires.

if the guy doesn't happen to be "the wrong length", then there's no
particular reason for insulators (unless you're feeding the tower as the
radiator)

 > some good things to use  and some ones to avoid  from my point of view
 > be safe
 >
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