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Re: [TowerTalk] TowerTalk Digest, Vol 119, Issue 39

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] TowerTalk Digest, Vol 119, Issue 39
From: Cal Zethmayr <w4gmh@cox.net>
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2013 0:33:18 -0600
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
If you are shopping for tower work stuff...    I strongly recommend that you 
support the provider of the contesting forums.

after 50+ years of climbing and working with the good old leather belt..   I am 
much more comfortable and confident with..and I'm sure safer with my harness 
and big hook...and when you order your harness and other stuff... be sure to 
get a copy of of Up The Tower...
mine is marked with lots of yellow highlighter...and gets re-read every couple 
of months.

Cal Z
W4GMH

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Climbing Belts/Harnass (Jim W7RY)
   2. Re: Climbing Belts/Harnass (K8RI)
   3. Re: Climbing Belts/Harnass (Grant Saviers)
   4. Re: Climbing Belts/Harnass (K8RI)
   5. Prop pitch rotates when tower grounded to station (Paul Staupe)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:08:38 -0800
From: "Jim W7RY" <w7ry@centurytel.net>
To: "David Jordan" <wa3gin@comcast.net>,        "David Gilbert"
        <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
Message-ID: <54F88008F4CE4F8AA10D9D19AA808B12@JimsLaptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
        reply-type=response


Isn't it great... !  noTHING like hams supporting the hobby through small
businesses... I just got a pneumatic tennis ball wire antenna launcher... no
tree top can beat this thing, haha.  80lbs = 200ft ASL

73,
Dave
wa3gin


Agree 100%. I built one out of a kit. They work FABULOUS!!

I need to devise a good way to use Co2 so it's a bit more portable.

73
Jim W7RY


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Gilbert" <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2012 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass


>
> Let's just say that I find it ironic that this reflector is sponsored by 
> K7LXC, the owner of Champion Radio Products.
>
> http://www.championradio.com/shop/Safety-Equipment.5
>
> 73,
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
>
> On 11/18/2012 11:41 AM, Stephen Colello wrote:
>> I have the same interest--so please make all responses to reply all.
>>
>> Steve
>> KA2KON
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anthony (N2KI)" <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
>> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2012 5:32 PM
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
>>
>>
>>> I have to replace my very old climbing belt .  I want to purchase one 
>>> for
>>> tower work.  Can someone point me in the direction of a reputable
>>> distributor and possible suggest a model?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Anthony J. Cioffi (N2KI)
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

_______________________________________________



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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:57:53 -0500
From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
Message-ID: <50A9BC51.10105@tm.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 11/18/2012 11:08 PM, Jim W7RY wrote:
>
> Isn't it great... !  noTHING like hams supporting the hobby through small
> businesses... I just got a pneumatic tennis ball wire antenna
> launcher... no
> tree top can beat this thing, haha.  80lbs = 200ft ASL

These can be built for a couple of bucks that weigh less than 10#
Google is your friend. Check potato gun or tennis ball gun.
or just tennis ball/hair spray will bring up lots of instructions.

Remember these things do not come with a safety warranty.

73

Roger (K8RI)

>
> 73,
> Dave
> wa3gin
>
>
> Agree 100%. I built one out of a kit. They work FABULOUS!!
>
> I need to devise a good way to use Co2 so it's a bit more portable.
>
> 73
> Jim W7RY
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Gilbert"
> <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2012 1:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
>
>
>>
>> Let's just say that I find it ironic that this reflector is sponsored
>> by K7LXC, the owner of Champion Radio Products.
>>
>> http://www.championradio.com/shop/Safety-Equipment.5
>>
>> 73,
>> Dave   AB7E
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/18/2012 11:41 AM, Stephen Colello wrote:
>>> I have the same interest--so please make all responses to reply all.
>>>
>>> Steve
>>> KA2KON
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anthony (N2KI)" <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
>>> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>>> Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2012 5:32 PM
>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
>>>
>>>
>>>> I have to replace my very old climbing belt .  I want to purchase
>>>> one for
>>>> tower work.  Can someone point me in the direction of a reputable
>>>> distributor and possible suggest a model?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Anthony J. Cioffi (N2KI)
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk




------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:04:23 -0800
From: Grant Saviers <grants2@pacbell.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Cc: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
Message-ID: <50A9D9F7.1060505@pacbell.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

A friend had PVC pipe fragments migrating out of his face for years 
after a rupture of the PVC pipe these gadgets are made from.  His 
"event" was a potato cannon failure, but there isn't much difference 
when the pressure gets to 80psi.  PVC doesn't show on an x-ray.

PVC piping is an ABSOLUTE  NO-NO in commercial compressed air systems 
since minor damage can escalate into ruptures and high energy flying 
slivers and fragments.    Thus, having one's face right next to the 
pressure storage tank is a very bad idea. Handling damage can be 
concealed, cold is bad since the plastic gets brittle and heat is bad 
because the pressure rating is significantly reduced.

Making one from sch 80 PVC pipe is probably safer, since the pressure 
ratings are much higher, the fittings much stronger, and the supplier 
probably not the cheapest the big box can buy,  what the forklift driver 
probably dropped or the customer walked on. Another idea might be to 
fiberglass wrap the tank (with a PVC compatible resin) as a "shatter 
shield".  Good solvent gluing is extremely important as a 4" PVC cap on 
a pressure tank at 80psi has about 1000 lbs of force on it.

Beyond "no safety warranty" as Roger notes,  PVC launchers are the 
ultimate in caveat emptor.  As a friend used to say about his Winchester 
458 magnum rifle - "kills at one end and maims at the other".

Grant KZ1W


On 11/18/2012 8:57 PM, K8RI wrote:
> On 11/18/2012 11:08 PM, Jim W7RY wrote:
>>
>> Isn't it great... !  noTHING like hams supporting the hobby through 
>> small
>> businesses... I just got a pneumatic tennis ball wire antenna
>> launcher... no
>> tree top can beat this thing, haha.  80lbs = 200ft ASL
>
> These can be built for a couple of bucks that weigh less than 10#
> Google is your friend. Check potato gun or tennis ball gun.
> or just tennis ball/hair spray will bring up lots of instructions.
>
> Remember these things do not come with a safety warranty.
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>>
>> 73,
>> Dave
>> wa3gin
>>
>>
>> Agree 100%. I built one out of a kit. They work FABULOUS!!
>>
>> I need to devise a good way to use Co2 so it's a bit more portable.
>>
>> 73
>> Jim W7RY
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Gilbert"
>> <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>
>> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2012 1:55 PM
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Let's just say that I find it ironic that this reflector is sponsored
>>> by K7LXC, the owner of Champion Radio Products.
>>>
>>> http://www.championradio.com/shop/Safety-Equipment.5
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Dave   AB7E
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11/18/2012 11:41 AM, Stephen Colello wrote:
>>>> I have the same interest--so please make all responses to reply all.
>>>>
>>>> Steve
>>>> KA2KON
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anthony (N2KI)" 
>>>> <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
>>>> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2012 5:32 PM
>>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> I have to replace my very old climbing belt .  I want to purchase
>>>>> one for
>>>>> tower work.  Can someone point me in the direction of a reputable
>>>>> distributor and possible suggest a model?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Anthony J. Cioffi (N2KI)
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>



------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 03:44:07 -0500
From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
Message-ID: <50A9F157.4040603@tm.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 11/19/2012 2:04 AM, Grant Saviers wrote:
> A friend had PVC pipe fragments migrating out of his face for years
> after a rupture of the PVC pipe these gadgets are made from.  His
> "event" was a potato cannon failure, but there isn't much difference
> when the pressure gets to 80psi.  PVC doesn't show on an x-ray.
>
> PVC piping is an ABSOLUTE  NO-NO in commercial compressed air systems
> since minor damage can escalate into ruptures and high energy flying
> slivers and fragments.    Thus, having one's face right next to the
> pressure storage tank is a very bad idea. Handling damage can be
> concealed, cold is bad since the plastic gets brittle and heat is bad
> because the pressure rating is significantly reduced.
>
> Making one from sch 80 PVC pipe is probably safer, since the pressure
> ratings are much higher, the fittings much stronger, and the supplier
> probably not the cheapest the big box can buy,  what the forklift driver
> probably dropped or the customer walked on. Another idea might be to
> fiberglass wrap the tank (with a PVC compatible resin) as a "shatter
> shield".  Good solvent gluing is extremely important as a 4" PVC cap on
> a pressure tank at 80psi has about 1000 lbs of force on it.
>
> Beyond "no safety warranty" as Roger notes,  PVC launchers are the
> ultimate in caveat emptor.  As a friend used to say about his Winchester
> 458 magnum rifle - "kills at one end and maims at the other".

And the ones I've seen used combustion which probably hit far higher 
than 80 PSI peak. OTOH I'd trust them farther than some of those with 
pressure tanks<:-))  Bout as safe as throwing the antenna over a power 
line. (I've read that has actually happened.)

I've wanted a 50 Baret M82 for years.  Too big and heavy to carry deer 
hunting, probably topple the tree the stand is in, and it'd blow out all 
the windows. (hunt in comfort with heat and fresh coffee.) Each year the 
kids seem to add a bit of home<:-)) It's actually not that worse if any 
than the 458, although if you can afford a custom Lapua  (Al' Pu ah) in 
the Baret it's tame compared to a conventional 458.

A bit off topic but I figured a few might appreciate the educational 
aspects.
Here's a shot of a little practice with the M82 50 (watch out for line wrap)
Kind of a different way to look at target shooting.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.spearfishingplanet.com/attachments/general-off-topic/19520d1269171043-barrett-50-sniper-rifle-put-smile-your-face-303171_pm-jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.spearfishingplanet.com/general-off-topic/18137-barrett-50-sniper-rifle-put-smile-your-face.html&h=275&w=484&sz=144&tbnid=hjOtjFoDW9grZM:&tbnh=75&tbnw=132&zoom=1&usg=__XPbJhyj9K2R6zk5ssZrUL_gr3g4=&docid=u51lyWX8PNyGdM&sa=X&ei=de6pUIjBJa-60AGYmoDACg&ved=0CFEQ9QEwBA&dur=4812

Never believe wiki.  They call it shoulder mounted. Try that and stay 
upright.


73

Roger (K8RI)



>
> Grant KZ1W
>
>
> On 11/18/2012 8:57 PM, K8RI wrote:
>> On 11/18/2012 11:08 PM, Jim W7RY wrote:
>>>
>>> Isn't it great... !  noTHING like hams supporting the hobby through
>>> small
>>> businesses... I just got a pneumatic tennis ball wire antenna
>>> launcher... no
>>> tree top can beat this thing, haha.  80lbs = 200ft ASL
>>
>> These can be built for a couple of bucks that weigh less than 10#
>> Google is your friend. Check potato gun or tennis ball gun.
>> or just tennis ball/hair spray will bring up lots of instructions.
>>
>> Remember these things do not come with a safety warranty.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger (K8RI)
>>
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Dave
>>> wa3gin
>>>
>>>
>>> Agree 100%. I built one out of a kit. They work FABULOUS!!
>>>
>>> I need to devise a good way to use Co2 so it's a bit more portable.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Jim W7RY
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Gilbert"
>>> <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>
>>> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>>> Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2012 1:55 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Let's just say that I find it ironic that this reflector is sponsored
>>>> by K7LXC, the owner of Champion Radio Products.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.championradio.com/shop/Safety-Equipment.5
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Dave   AB7E
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 11/18/2012 11:41 AM, Stephen Colello wrote:
>>>>> I have the same interest--so please make all responses to reply all.
>>>>>
>>>>> Steve
>>>>> KA2KON
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anthony (N2KI)"
>>>>> <n2ki.ham@gmail.com>
>>>>> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2012 5:32 PM
>>>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Climbing Belts/Harnass
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have to replace my very old climbing belt .  I want to purchase
>>>>>> one for
>>>>>> tower work.  Can someone point me in the direction of a reputable
>>>>>> distributor and possible suggest a model?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Anthony J. Cioffi (N2KI)
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk




------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 05:09:48 -0600
From: Paul Staupe <staupe@gmail.com>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Prop pitch rotates when tower grounded to station
Message-ID:
        <CAOQ84auWjD9wSjJY6dVPM4=HdB6T4d23W86-4qh47rGnUBta7g@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Here's one for the prop pitch gurus out there...I'm sure there's an easy
explanation for this, but I'm baffled.

I put up a 2L 40M Moxon, an 8L FM Yagi and a 4L SteppIR on a 22' mast
rotated by a small prop pitch using an M2 RC2800P-A controller which has
worked flawlessly for the past year.  All the coax runs feed insulated
elements so they've been floating at each antenna, therefore, I didn't
discover the problem until I built a shunt feed system to the tower last
week.

When I connected the shunt feed coax PL-259 (which has a direct connection
to the radial field and the tower itself), the prop pitch started rotating
counterclockwise without the sensor being activated, so the M2 controller
had no indication of movement.  Thankfully, I was lucky enough to look up
at the antenna rotating and discovered the problem before the prop pitch
sheared off the coax to my antennas.  So it appears that somehow the 24VDC
return is live on the tower, and the circuit to one of the windings
completes when I connect the shield to my station.

When the controller in on, there is no voltage present between the motor
ports and the motor port return.  There's 10.85 VDC between the sensor
ports when the controller is on but a 41 VDC voltage between one sensor
port and the coax shield coming back from the shunt feed to the tower and
31 VDC showing on the second controller port to the same shield.  This is
very strange, since I'm using RG6 all the way from the controller to the
top of the tower and I would think that the magnetic controller would be
completely isolated from the motor ports....

Any ideas to solve this would be appreciated.

Best regards,

Paul W0AD


------------------------------

Subject: Digest Footer

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------------------------------

End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 119, Issue 39
******************************************

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