[TenTec] OT: Field Day Drill

[John]

Stuart,

It sounds like we have similar stories here.  For better or worse (at 
least for now) we are using 4 sections Rohn 25 for our tower. When we 
were doing 3 or 4 of these, we acquired tilting bases (which we hang 
onto like they are our children) and pin the bases with 4 ft lengths of 
rebar.    So far (really) we have been able to walk up the tower part 
way and slide an  homebuilt a-frame support underneath the tower.  This 
puts the top of the tower just high enough that we can mount the beam 
pointing straight up (Here in Massachusetts we just figure west is best 
- HI).  Stepladders become very handy for this stage. We don't use 
rotors as they seem to cost more in play time than we what we would gain 
in contacts. We originally pulled them upright with a truck and a block 
and tackle. The past two years we have a member with a winch running on 
12 V that we used, and that has made the job easier (and probably quicker)

The gain is not in setup time.  We never seem to lack for help at 
setup.  But, as I'm sure you know, at takedown, it is a different story 
altogether.  Oh yes, We use a 50 ft push up mast (although this year we 
only went up 40 ft) and mount the 40 and 80 inverted v's 90 Degrees apart.

With the tri-plexer, that gives us an antenna for each of the contest 
bands.  Just to be fair, I am just reporting this.  I can't take credit 
for the layout or support choices, although I did make the A-frame 
supports.

PS  When you walk up a 50 ft mast, it does get a little, or maybe a lot 
wiggly.  This is where you need kids that think this is a neat thing to do.

73,

John / WA1JG

On 7/19/2012 8:40 PM, Stuart Rohre wrote:
> John, very interesting about your FD set up to use minimum of antenna
> supports.
>
> We had an 88 foot doublet so that we could do verious bands for the SSB
> guys.  And, I elected to use only a 20 foot sip up mast to make erection
> safer for our aging crew.  It was as easy an antenna raising as ever we
> did.  The proof was in how well the ivnerted doublet worked at only 20
> foot, but in an open area.  We might try 30 feet next year, but probably
> should practice raising that.  20 you can walk up without it bending too
> much.  I am leery of walking up a 30, and would try to raise it from 10
> foot up a study ladder.  We are lucky to have a lightweight ladder that
> can be bucked by one study person, or put up as an A frame ladder and
> again bucked by one.
>
> Yes, having been a fireman and participated in a "church raise"
> (straight up) of an early aluminum ladder, (built like a battle ship, 40
> feet tall extended).  You do that with six very trust worthy guys,
> robust in their ability to hang onto the guy lines and the base of the
> ladder, while the sixth one pulls the raising halyard.
>
> -Stuart Rohre
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