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[Towertalk] RE: Aluminum Tower

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [Towertalk] RE: Aluminum Tower
From: W5LT@attbi.com (W5LT)
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 12:44:55 -0600
Hi All:
I concur the 8 ft versions are Heights Tower Systems. There are two versions
of the sections: those made before ~1995, and those made after. The earlier
versions are nearly identical to the Universal, and are limited as to load
capacity. The new versions have been re-designed per the UBC and can handle
quite heavy loads. The joint method can be in two forms also: using inserts
(similar to the swaged joints of the early version) and outside sleeve type.
I prefer the outside sleeve type because they are likely to be easier to
take apart after a few years.
I have one of the new ones (replaced an old one I had for 30 yrs). It is 77
ft (72 + 5 ft Fold-over base)and will support 35 sq ft projected area
antenna (per PE calcs for my 70 mph wind zone).
73s
Bob, W5LT

-----Original Message-----
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towertalk-request@contesting.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 11:34 PM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Towertalk digest, Vol 1 #762 - 15 msgs


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Today's Topics:

   1. Lubing Crank-Up Cable (Ward Silver)
   2. Re: Tubular crank up tower rope/cable lubricating (kk9a@arrl.net)
   3. Re: crank up cable/rope replacement ? (David L. Thompson)
   4. Re: force 12 sigma 80 (Jim White, K4OJ)
   5. Re: US Tower Beware (Scott & Sherry Souva)
   6. RE: US Tower Beware (Steve Katz)
   7. Re: rod blanks (Hisashi T Fujinaka)
   8. Re: US Tower Beware (David Jordan)
   9. Re: Unusual Rotator (Robin Midgett)
  10. Aluminum Tower (Jerry Keller)
  11. Re: Aluminum Tower (Don Havlicek)
  12. RE: Aluminum Tower (Jerry Keller)
  13. Re: Aluminum Tower (Don Havlicek)
  14. Re: Aluminum Tower (Eje Gustafsson)
  15. Re: Aluminum Tower (Cqtestk4xs@aol.com)

--__--__--

Message: 1
From: "Ward Silver" <hwardsil@centurytel.net>
To: "Towertalk Reflector" <towertalk@contesting.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 12:59:05 -0800
Subject: [Towertalk] Lubing Crank-Up Cable

> Anyone have any ideas,  or how do you lube your crank up
> cable high and inside the tubular sections?
>
> 73,  Jim  KH7M

Same trouble here, but I put a spray tube on the nozzle and then only
release enough pressure for the stuff to come out in a stream.  I hold the
tube against the cable where it goes down the hole into the telescoping
section.  Then I spray until KD7DQO or FYX at the bottom tells me "It's
dripping!".  I hope that means that the lubricant has run down the cable to
the pulley area.  On the middle section, I have DQO or FYX crank it up while
I'm at the top of the bottom section (the tower is mounted against the
house) and spray the lube on the cable as it's being wound in.

I'll let you know in another five or six years if that works :-)

73, Ward N0AX



--__--__--

Message: 2
From: <kk9a@arrl.net>
To: <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Tubular crank up tower rope/cable lubricating
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 15:07:56 -0000

You are lucky to get 7 years out of the cable in HI.  P49MR in Aruba broke
two cables in about four years.  The manufacture recommends replacing the
cable every three years.   I had a UST 89' tower for 4 years and while it
made a lot of squeeking noise the cable never broke.  I never changed it due
to the amount of work need to do so.   The LXC Prime Directive is to "DO
what the  manufacturer says", but it seems that even he takes exception to
this maintenance procedure.

John

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Reid" <jimr.reid@verizon.net>
To: "towertalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 20:30
Subject: [Towertalk] Tubular crank up tower rope/cable lubricating


I have had two UST MA-550's over the past nearly 11 years.
The wire rope (cable) on the first rusted through after about
7 years in our tropical weather here on Kauai.  When the
tower "collapsed"  the force was so great that the boom of
my C4 snapped at a U bolt at the mounting plate,  and the
tower sections broke through their "stop" plates essentially
destroying the tower as far as use was concerned.  So I
got a new one.  However,  the old tower was salvaged by
one of our club members who is handy with welding, etc.;
it is now converted into a portable,  two section crank up
used at Field Day and similar club outings here on the island.

(Photos of both the new tower,  and the old  converted tower are
at: http://www.karc.net/Activities/Photokh7m.htm )  the old
rehabbed tower photos are at the page lower left).

Never used any cable lube on that first tower.  The cable broke
as I was raising the tower after having had it down for a time
during a spell of higher wind and rain.  It was a cable area that
would spend all of its' time wound on the winch,  and rusting,
when the tower was extended and most of the rope on the
winch.  The length where the break occurred was only off
the winch when the tower was lowered,  so it rusted when
wound tight on the winch.

On the new one,  every two or three months (or whenever I
remember it) I now use Whitmore's "Wire Rope Lubricant",
which,  per the can label,  "penetrates to minimize internal
friction, increases wire rope life,  and protects against
corrosion in all weather and salty environments."

However,  I cannot get to the upper cable runs to apply.
The largest amount of cable is wound down on the winch
only when the tower is extended to its' full height;  when
lowered,  most of the cable is strung out and is DOWN
INSIDE the tubular sections,  as is a good deal of cable
ALL of the time,  or way high in the air on the outside of
the extended sections.

So,  I spray on the rope lubricant to the cable wound on the
winch when the tower is up,  and much of the cable is down
on the winch.

I have tried wetting a sponge tied to a long pole;  then
raising the pole high in the air,  attempt to rub the wetted
sponge up and down the extended cable up there.  Does
NOT work well,  hi.  The pole sways about,  and the few
moments are brief that I can hold it (in the prevailing trade
winds) against a section of the extended cable!

So,  a fair length of my new wire  rope cable has never been
lubed since set up.  However,  I am not too concerned about
this as it was the cable down on the winch that rusted through
and broke  on the old tower set up.  The extended cable seems
to dry quickly enough following our frequent,  but brief showers,
that it does not corrode as does the wire rope wound tight on
the winch,  where the water cannot evaporate away rapidly.

Anyone have any ideas,  or how do you lube your crank up
cable high and inside the tubular sections?

73,  Jim  KH7M





_______________________________________________
AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
See http://www.mscomputer.com

Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
888-333-9041 for additional information.
_______________________________________________
Towertalk mailing list
Towertalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk



--__--__--

Message: 3
From: "David L. Thompson" <thompson@mindspring.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] crank up cable/rope replacement ?
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 16:21:15 -0500

CORRECTION

All but one who e-mailed me or called me said they did get base instructions
but nothing on the tower
as to a manual.   This makes the towers useful but lacking in documentation.
Where is Lou Tristao when you need him?

I have a letter (5 years old now) from Bruce at UST.  He says to contact the
dealer or installer for the mundane (his words) tower particulars.

As I said earlier get a concrete contactor and now a tower installer who
knows what he is doing!

Dave K4JRB



--__--__--

Message: 4
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 16:29:49 -0500
From: "Jim White, K4OJ" <k4oj@tampabay.rr.com>
To: Bob Jaeger <vze2298x@verizon.net>
CC: Towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] force 12 sigma 80

I am proud owner of a 80 BV from Force 12 - do not know if it is similar
in design - the BV uses a tringular wire loading loop to make it look
taller (lower in Freq) - it is mounted on an aluminum tube with the base
up roughly 12 feet - it has been a good performer have not put my 80
dipole back up for about a year - the Vertical seems to play just fine
with 8 elevated radials....

73,

Jim, K4OJ


Bob Jaeger wrote:

>   Hi the name is Bob . I am looking for someone is has mounted a sigma 80
>about ten feet in the air . I
>
>have some questions about doing this and its success . This can be done
>offline rather than tie up the
>
>towertalk list . Thanks .
>
>                                             BOBJ N2DXJ
vze2298x@verizon.net
>
>--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
>multipart/related
>  multipart/alternative
>    text/plain (text body -- kept)
>    text/html
>  image/gif
>---
>_______________________________________________
>AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
>See http://www.mscomputer.com
>
>Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
>888-333-9041 for additional information.
>_______________________________________________
>Towertalk mailing list
>Towertalk@contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>




--__--__--

Message: 5
From: "Scott & Sherry Souva" <ssouva@twcny.rr.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 17:32:45 -0500

I find this hard to believe.  When I purchased my lawn ornament, US Tower
was so efficient they sent the installation instructions and just about
every piece of paperwork several months ahead of receiving my tower.  With
that said, I am quite qualified to accept any additional 55' US Towers here
in Upstate NY because I have the instructions to handle such items.

Scott Souva
KG2S
ssouva@twcny.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "David L. Thompson" <thompson@mindspring.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 11:40 PM
Subject: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware


> I have two e-mails (from 2 different hams) and a phone call from a local
> that all tell me no manual or instructions are sent with any tower these
> days.  5 Years ago they continued to provide a manual and complete base
> instructions.   Without the base instructions the towers are worthless!!
>
> I hope this is just a small problem but one fellow said he has both a 89
ft
> and 72 ft tower and neither had any material with them.  He had to get
> someone to copy the material for him.
>
> This does not make good business sense as a faulty install would put UST
at
> more risk than ever!
>
> Please tell me its not so.
>
> Dave K4JRB
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
> See http://www.mscomputer.com
>
> Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
> 888-333-9041 for additional information.
> _______________________________________________
> Towertalk mailing list
> Towertalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>



--__--__--

Message: 6
From: Steve Katz <stevek@jmr.com>
To: "'Scott & Sherry Souva'" <ssouva@twcny.rr.com>, towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: RE: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 14:49:34 -0800

I'm puzzled as to what kind of instructions anyone needs for a tower.

Isn't buying the correct base and installing that in the prescribed hole and
amount of concrete all we really need to know?

I've put up an awful lot of towers without any instructions; not sure what
I'd do with instructions if I had any.

I take that back.  My refrigerator, microwave oven, washing machine, and
even my pool sweep came with instructions, and I still have them, somewhere,
in the cute plastic covers they came in.  So, I can sell any one of these as
"complete with brand new instructions, never opened."

-WB2WIK/6

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." -
Mario Andretti

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scott & Sherry Souva [SMTP:ssouva@twcny.rr.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 2:33 PM
> To:   towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject:      Re: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware
>
> I find this hard to believe.  When I purchased my lawn ornament, US Tower
> was so efficient they sent the installation instructions and just about
> every piece of paperwork several months ahead of receiving my tower.  With
> that said, I am quite qualified to accept any additional 55' US Towers
> here
> in Upstate NY because I have the instructions to handle such items.
>
> Scott Souva
> KG2S
> ssouva@twcny.rr.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David L. Thompson" <thompson@mindspring.com>
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 11:40 PM
> Subject: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware
>
>
> > I have two e-mails (from 2 different hams) and a phone call from a local
> > that all tell me no manual or instructions are sent with any tower these
> > days.  5 Years ago they continued to provide a manual and complete base
> > instructions.   Without the base instructions the towers are worthless!!
> >
> > I hope this is just a small problem but one fellow said he has both a 89
> ft
> > and 72 ft tower and neither had any material with them.  He had to get
> > someone to copy the material for him.
> >
> > This does not make good business sense as a faulty install would put UST
> at
> > more risk than ever!
> >
> > Please tell me its not so.
> >
> > Dave K4JRB
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
> > See http://www.mscomputer.com
> >
> > Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
> > 888-333-9041 for additional information.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Towertalk mailing list
> > Towertalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
> See http://www.mscomputer.com
>
> Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
> 888-333-9041 for additional information.
> _______________________________________________
> Towertalk mailing list
> Towertalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

--__--__--

Message: 7
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 15:00:47 -0800 (PST)
From: Hisashi T Fujinaka <htodd@twofifty.com>
To: Towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] rod blanks

For cheapies, try Cabelas. We're near one of the fiberglass/graphite blank
capitals here (Woodland, WA) but if you don't know someone in the
business, I don't think you're going to get a great deal. Fishing
equipment is not cheap. :)

Angler's Workshop is a fun place to go, though.

On Tue, 10 Dec 2002, Gordon Sahnow wrote:

>> fiberglass fishing pole blanks long ones over 12 ft.
>>
>> Dan NN7J
>
> Try Angler'sWorkshop.com

--
Hisashi T Fujinaka - htodd@twofifty.com
BSEE (6/86) + BSChem (3/95) + BAEnglish (8/95) + $2.50 = mocha latte

--__--__--

Message: 8
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 18:48:29 -0500
From: David Jordan <wa3gin@erols.com>
To: "David L. Thompson" <thompson@mindspring.com>
CC: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] US Tower Beware


IF someone is buying a 89ft crank-up for the first time and don't have
the foggiest idea how to install it...they prolly should stick with a
ground mounted vertical or get some help from an experienced ham radio
operator!

73s,
dave
wa3gin
Happy owner of a TRIEX CT-100 (it came with blue prints and manual)




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--__--__--

Message: 9
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 18:25:53 -0600
To: "Lee Noonan" <vk2lee@maxnet.net.au>,
   "Frank Davis" <fdavis@nf.sympatico.ca>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
From: Robin Midgett <robin.midgett@vanderbilt.edu>
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Unusual Rotator

I believe it is actually a Kenpro. Kenpro was bought out by Yaesu years ago.


At 10:22 AM 8/30/2002 +1000, Lee Noonan wrote:
>Frank
>
>I believe it would be a "KENPRO  KR400 "  Rotator ....  Although Mine says
>made by Kenpro..
>Maybe its an earlier model......
>
>Lee  VK2LEE
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Frank Davis" <fdavis@nf.sympatico.ca>
>To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>Sent: Friday, August 30, 2002 7:08 AM
>Subject: [Towertalk] Unusual Rotator
>
>
> > Anyone on TT heard of a rotator by this name:
> > "Kenrotor  KR400 made by Toyomuro"
> >
> > The owner of this rotor is ZD7CY and he has lost the ring gear in a
severe
>wind storm.
> > Does anyone on the reflector have any info on this rotor and where to
>possibly get parts??
> >
> > Frank VO1HP
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Self Supporting Towers, Wireless Weather Stations, see web site:
>http://www.mscomputer.com
>Call 888-333-9041 to place your order, mention you saw this ad and take an
>additional 5 percent off
>any weather station price.
>_______________________________________________
>Towertalk mailing list
>Towertalk@contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

Thanks,
Robin Midgett KB4IDC
615-322-5836 office - rolls to pager
615-835-7699 pager
615-773-4198 home
rmidgett@bellsouth.net
robin.midgett@vanderbilt.edu


--__--__--

Message: 10
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 19:47:15 -0500
From: Jerry Keller <k3bz@arrl.net>
To: "(Reflector) TowerTalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Reply-to: k3bz@arrl.net
Subject: [Towertalk] Aluminum Tower

I recently bought a 40-foot aluminum tower which consists of five 8-foot
tapering sections. Anyone have any ideas how to identify the manufacturer?
Any help would be appreciated?

Jerry K3BZ



--__--__--

Message: 11
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 20:04:24 -0500
From: Don Havlicek <n8de@thepoint.net>
To: k3bz@arrl.net
CC: "(Reflector) TowerTalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Aluminum Tower

Jerry
The manufacturer of MOST 8-foot section aluminum towers is HEIGHTS.
Don
N8DE


--__--__--

Message: 12
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 21:26:57 -0500
From: Jerry Keller <k3bz@arrl.net>
Subject: RE: [Towertalk] Aluminum Tower
To: "(Reflector) TowerTalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Reply-to: k3bz@arrl.net

Thanks to all who responded so promptly to my inquiry.... concensus is that
I have some sections by Heights.  I had done a google and Aluma came up but
not Heights. I found their website and tomorrow I'll take precise
measurements of what I have and compare with their specs, but prelim approx
measures (and the photos) look right.
Any comments pro or con on Heights towers?

Jerry K3BZ




--__--__--

Message: 13
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 22:12:10 -0500
From: Don Havlicek <n8de@thepoint.net>
To: k3bz@arrl.net
CC: "(Reflector) TowerTalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Aluminum Tower

Jerry,
I prefer Universal tower, though Heights is good for it's intended purposes.
Universal has 10-foot sections .. Heights 8-foot.. therefore, a given
tower by each will have a different number of sections.
Don
N8DE


--__--__--

Message: 14
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 21:56:54 -0600
From: Eje Gustafsson <macahan@fament.com>
Reply-To: Eje Gustafsson <macahan@fament.com>
Organization: The Family Entertainment Network LLC
To: towertalk-admin@contesting.com, Don Havlicek <n8de@thepoint.net>
CC: k3bz@arrl.net, "(Reflector) TowerTalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Aluminum Tower

I purchased a used one a while back. Easy to fold down (if installed
correctly). Was a pain in the *** to take the pieces a part since it's
been standing there for a good number of years. Bolts rusted and a few
pipes slightly oval due to compression. Put it back together was a
smaller chore but ones again put together just folded it up (40') and
climbed with the last 2 pieces and installed them. Got to love the
aluminum from a weight perspective. The two top pieces weighted 11lbs
each.
Would done the entire 60' at ones if it wouldn't have been for lack of
room to lay it all down and hinge it up. :P

- Eje

DH> Jerry,
DH> I prefer Universal tower, though Heights is good for it's intended
purposes.
DH> Universal has 10-foot sections .. Heights 8-foot.. therefore, a given
DH> tower by each will have a different number of sections.
DH> Don
DH> N8DE

---
[This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus]


--__--__--

Message: 15
From: Cqtestk4xs@aol.com
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 00:31:32 EST
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Aluminum Tower
To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com

I suggest a nice coating of lithium grease in the joint to help slide them
together...as well as more importantly, taking them apart in the future.
Also i suggest stainless steel bolts.  The galvanized ones tear up the
aluminum with galvanic action.
Bill K4XS


--__--__--

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