I've never crowned the base, but then it never freezes here, and the flat
base doesn't accumulate any puddles.
An important step in the after-pour process, though, should be mentioned:
Don't forget to engrave a date in the cement, using a stick or your finger
or something. The date should always be one that precedes the date when
your municipality started regulating antenna towers.
For example, if your ordinance regarding antenna towers was written July
1968, your tower base should read, "MAY 68."
This can help prevent problems...
Oh yes, to make the cement look "old" (you know how cement keeps changing
color with age, and for the first few years actually gets *lighter* in color
as it dries out?), while it's still a little bit tacky, rub some dirt into
it.
WB2WIK/6
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Dutson [mailto:kdutson@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 2:07 PM
To: Towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [BULK] - Re: [TowerTalk] Tower foundations
You know, I have heard this many times and completely agree with the need to
crown the base. However, my base is flat as a pancake and there is
absolutely no sign of any rust or other damage to the base of my galvanized
tower after 6 years.
73, Keith NM5G
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Roger K8RI on Tower
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 3:41 PM
To: kr7x@comcast.net; Laurent Ferracci; TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower foundations
> Laurent:
>
> I appreciate your problem. The best thing to do is to extend the
> concrete above ground so you can visually monitor the condition of the
> base concerning rust.
Another reason for doing this is drainage. The top of the concrete should
be "crowned" so any water tends to run off.
http://www.rogerhalstead.com/ham_files/tower14.htm shows a good "crowned"
concrete base. The crown does not need to be this obvious, but it should be
enough to prevent any tendency for water to stay on the concrete. The base
itself is much larger than the crowned portion, but water readily runs off
and even several inches of standing water would not leave the actual tower
in water. However if I had several inches of standing water there, the
tower would probably be the least of my worries.
Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member) N833R - World's oldest
Debonair CD-2 www.rogerhalstead.com
>
> I would leave the hole as it is. Pour the concrete to about 300 mm
> below the surface. At that point I would make a form with the plan
> dimensions need for the tower base. I would pour that size and would
> extend it say 100 mm minimum above the potential ground surface. Slope
> the top of the concrete to keep the standing water off and your set.
>
> Regards
> Lonberg Design Group, Ltd.
>
> Hank Lonberg, P.E.,S.E. / KR7X
> President
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
>
>> Dear OMs,
>>
>> My project is to erect a self supporting tower i bought a few monthes
>> ago. The tower is 13 meters (36 ft) high and weights around 250 Kg. I
>> planned to dig a square hole of 4x4x4 (based on what i read about
>> similar towers), to put a rebar cage and a tower base into it, and to
>> pour the concrete.
>>
>> However, reality differs from my plans, and i have a few questions.
>> Please note that the tower has been "home made" (not by myself). I am
>> confident in it but i can't simply "ask the tower manufacturer" my
>> questions about the foundations. That's why i need your help.
>>
>> I asked one of my neighbour if he could dig the hole (he has machines
>> for it). He accepted, and i explained him what i wanted.
>> Unfortunately, he came one day with his machine while i wasn't here
>> and dig (dug?) a hole that wasn't deep enough (just 2 ft). When he
>> came back to check if that was OK, i told him that i needed twice
>> that depth. He came back another day while i wasn't here (really bad
>> luck) and dug again... i ended with a hole that is now too big ! It's now
5x6 and of 7 ft depth.
>>
>> My first question is about the foundations dimensions. What do you
>> think about them ? Does 4x4x4 seem sufficient to you, or should i keep
5x6x7 ?
>> (of course, i could keep the big one as a "safety margin", but if
>> 4x4x4 is already safe, i see no interest in paying the additionnal
>> concrete it will take to fill the big hole).
>>
>> If a want a smaller hole, i can simply put back some ground (?) into
>> it for less depth, but i can i do for a smaller "area" ? I could
>> build a wood frame for the dimensions i want, put it into the hole,
>> and put some ground around it, but i wonder if it will be sufficient,
>> because when i'll pour concrete in the frame, it will have a great
>> pressure from inside to outside.
>>
>> About the top of the concrete base: Usually, the concrete base is
>> higher than ground level. What's the reason for this ? I would like
>> better to have it lower than ground level. That way, i could have
>> just the tower base coming upside. In my garden, 5x6 of grass would
>> be nicer than 5x6 of concrete. Of course, rust on the tower base
>> would be a concern, but if it's the only reason, i feel i can deal with
it.
>>
>> About the tower base (to be sealed in the concrete). How deep should
>> it go into the concrete ?
>>
>> Thanks for your help ( and sorry for my bad english)
>>
>> --
>> Laurent F1JKJ
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> 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
_______________________________________________
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
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