[TowerTalk] Winch For Crank-Up & Tilt Over

[d.dimitry]

Dear Mr. Hider and friends,

I beg to differ with the opinion you expressed.  It is not uncommon for my
office to hear from many hams (yes, customers) who have had their aluminum
towers up for well over 20 years, some even approaching 40 years.  Crank-ups
have an especially high survival rate, even in hurricanes, etc.  It's not
surprising to hear these testimonials anymore; that's how the towers were
designed.

Needless to say, most of these guys have aluminum masts with the towers.  I
think it is true that some aluminum masts are on the light side.  However,
several years ago we started offering HAMS heavier walled material.  No
doubt, many chrome-moly masts would still have a greater yield strength.
The question is:  Is it necessary, and are you willing to pay the extra
change?  Consider also, that you may be paying more for a nearly invincible
mast, only to have your antenna torn to shreds in serious winds.

Aluminum towers in general have stood the test of time.  In addition to
their strength, they offer the corrosion resistance and light-weight, that
some owners both want and need.  No one can reasonably argue that they fill
a niche, but even that is a large understatement.  One last comment: like in
anything else, compare apples to apples.  There are different manufacturers
of aluminum towers, just as there are different car manufacturers,
everything from Chevies to Cadillacs.  Do your homework.

I would be happy to provide thorough calculations to any interested HAMs
about contemporary designs that meet strict up-to-date engineering codes.

Drake Dimitry
DDimitry@HeightsTowers.com

You wrote:>
>I can't help with ques #1, but for question #2> Throwaway the aluminum
>mast.  Don't use it.  The only aluminum on a tower should be the
>antennas and associated mounting plates but, no masts. Especially such a
>l o n g  one.  Long masts need strength and aluminum can't hack it, even
>6061-T6.  Get yourself a 24 ft chromally mast. You ought to see my
>118,000# yield strength, 18 ft chromolly mast, bearing at 134 ft, with
>25 sqft of antenna moves in the 60-70 mph winds we get twice/year. Then
>answer your question mathematically.  Don't even think about aluminum.
>Many many horror stories can be re-told about such masts.  There will be
>others on this reflector who will tell you how long their aluminum masts
>have been up.  Others will tell you how long their aluminum towers have
>been up.  I for one need to be able to sleep at night.  (I even have
>galvanized steel inserts in the aluminum booms of some of my antennas!
>So do some of my friends!!)
>
>Visit my web site: http://www.erols.com/n3rr
>
>Bill, N3RR
>
>donald.s.tucker@exgate.tek.com wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Just subscribed and seeking some help.
>>
>> Question 1.  I have acquired a like new Triex T-51 3-section motor driven
>> crankup.  I built the base and poured the cement according to Tri-ex
>> instructions and even made it a little deeper and wider, both ways.  I
>> included and installed in the base a 20 foot 4x4 steel tube which I had
and
>> will use it as the tilt-over support and a wire antenna leg.  What I am
>> looking for is a 2-way locking hand winch that I can use to tilt the
tower
>> over on its hinge and pull back up knowing that I am doing so without the
>> possibility of losing everything.  All I can find is a 1-way hand winch
such
>> as used for boat trailers.  Would appreciate any suggestions or pointers
as
>> to where I can locate such an animal or a work-around and the size and
>> strength of steel cable to use.
>>
>> Question 2.  I have a 2 inch 6061-T6 1/4 wall 24 foot piece of tubing
which
>> I acquired to use as a mast in the above tower.  Want to mount my TH7DXX,
my
>> KLM 40M monopole, and a 12 ele 2M beam. My intention was to place a plate
>> with a bearing where the original rotator goes, and put a new rotator
plate
>> further down the tower, to take any stress off the rotator.  My concern
is
>> how much mast I could (should) leave out with the antennas noted and if I

>> could sneak in a  small 12/17M beam.
>>
>> Don W7WLL
>>
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