This all happened before I became licensed in 1977 as WD5DXL. I think the
tower went up in 1975. It was not tapered. I think it was 12 inches on
each side. The braces were horizontal, which means resistance to twisting
was less than Rohn 25G. Still, it was pretty strong, easily handling the
weight of two grown men at the top. A friend with arc welder helped me
build a jig. Cut the pieces and weld them together.
The storm apparently caused enough branches to fall from the tree(s),
ultimately snapping two of the guy wires. The tower then twisted and
buckled at the eve connection point. The upper 45 feet, and antenna, folded
over on top of the garage, with the antenna in the driveway where the car
was usually parked. Fortunately, the XYL had awakened before the storm was
at full intensity, was worried about her horses, got dressed and drove the
car to the stables. I slept through the whole thing and woke up when she
returned telling me the tower and antenna had come down. I was devastated
and vowed to rebuild it, but never did. Two years later I got my license
but was without a tower until 1999.
Keith NM5G
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Shannon Boal
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 11:55 AM
To: Towertalk@Contesting. Com
Subject: FW: [TowerTalk] Re: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 73
-----Original Message-----
From: Shannon Boal [mailto:Kingsautomotive1@alltel.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 4:50 PM
To: tower@contesting.com
Subject: FW: [TowerTalk] Re: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 73
Keith,
How wide was the face at the base? Did it taper as it went up? Sound like
a pretty good metal work project. Where did the failure start? Did the
square tubing buckle, or the flat bar?
The only poeple who never make mistakes, never did anything...
Shannon Boal K4GLM
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Dutson [mailto:kjdutson@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 1:22 PM
To: TowerTalk
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Re: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 73
I built my first tower using locally purchased steel. The legs were one
inch by 1/8 inch box tubing. The braces were 1 inch wide 1/8 thick plate.
Each section was 10 feet in length with one size larger box tubing slipped
over each bottom leg. The top section had 1/8 plate on the top. All
sections were galvanized. The tower was 70 feet tall. The base was poured
with Sakrete mixed in a wheelbarrow. The tower was attached to an eve on
the house at 25 feet. Three steel guys were attached at 50 feet and
terminated at tree trunks. One 11 meter Quagi (Avanti) was placed on top
rotated with a CDE 45.
Yes, it was for CB!
Yes, a violent storm with 100 MPH winds took it down!
No, I would not do it again!
Keith NM5G
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Csamiam5@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 4:17 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Re: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 73
Would you climb a tower built by some one other than a pro?
Sammy F. Smith
270-577-0708
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|