seems like the story of building a sailboat in the basement..
Seriously, I'd rent a boom lift, 60/65' ones might work if you can get
really close to the tower, since the working height is a bit more with
you in the bucket. Then carry up boom and each assembled element
separately and build in place on the mast at tower top. Then raise the
assembled antenna higher on the mast.
All buckets I've seen are rated 500 lbs, so you might get a helper in it
with you and an element. They are easy to drive and learn to operate,
just go slow. Get instructions from the delivery guy and particularly
remember the interlocks and ground vs boom control switching.
I've rented an 85' a couple of times, 60' once and 40/45' three times
for antenna work without climbing. The rental yard of the 85' required
an insurance binder since I am not a licensed/bonded contractor, which
my home/liability insurer issued at no cost. The 40's are common but
often sold out, 60/65's harder to get, and 85's very hard, it's all
about construction demand. btw the Genie's up to 85' are made about a
few miles from my QTH, and the production is running flat out. Be aware
that some 85' and taller may have spreading axles to provide stability
so you need space beyond the 8' travel width dimension, and they weigh
30k# or more. Definitely get a 4wd unit unless the surface is super
solid. I got an 85' 2wd stuck and the largest tow truck ever seen
retrieved at for many $$. Straight boom or articulating makes no
difference to me since I don't have a reach over or horizontal clearance
issue. I rented whatever is available and now own a 40' articulating
one found at local auction.
A 60' here rents for $475/day plus $180 rt delivery. I've had to wait 2
weeks for a 60' machine. An over the weekend rental may get an extra
free day if I don't exceed 8 hours on the run time meter. The stop time
is when I call for pickup.
Have fun with your project!
Grant KZ1W
Redmond, WA
On 5/19/2016 18:48 PM, Jerry Gardner wrote:
Hello Tower Talkers,
I've decided to replace my TH-7DX with a larger antenna that includes 40M,
so I bought an OptiBeam OB17-4 and need to figure out a way to get it up on
the tower.
I was able to build the TH-7DX in my front yard in one piece and it was
then a simple job to tram-line it up to the top of the tower. The OB17-4 is
way too large to be completely built anywhere near the tower so I need to
figure out the best way to get it up there in pieces.
I have enough room to build the boom and the elements individually, but not
enough to assemble them to each other. For anyone not familiar with the
OB17-4, it has 17 elements on a 39' boom. The three 40M elements are 48'
long. The boom and each of the 40M elements has a truss to prevent sagging.
The tower is 60' free-standing with a 20' mast.
Anyone have any tips on how to make this work?
73,
Jerry
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