[TowerTalk] Homebrew towers

[Kurt Andress]

K7LXC@aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 00-01-22 12:03:49 EST, fmeier@uniserve.com writes:
> 
> >  It seems that homebrewing towers is now politically incorrect?
> >  In older Antenna handbooks there are frequent references to ownerbuilt
> >  support structures. This doesn't happen any more. Any comments?
> 
>       Unless you're a structural engineer, there are very few people talented
> enough to design a proper tower for the load and conditions plus it should
> comply with the TIA-222 tower structure standard. Doing "hip-pocket"
> engineering is just a dangerous crap-shoot. If it's designed properly, then
> you have to get a fabricator to build it and then you have to get the tower
> to the galvanizer's. Sounds like a LOT of work to me.
> 
>      Why re-invent the wheel when Rohn and Trylon towers are reasonably
> priced and will do just about anything you want to do?
> 
> Cheers,   Steve    K7LXC


Ha, what a hoot!

With tongue in cheek.....

I happen to share a view similar to Steve's on this topic, but I think
K7GCO has put the entire business into its proper perspective.

Aside from the efforts of many folks to raise the awareness about how
certain things should be approached, treated, and accomplished, There
still remains a predominant undercurrent that has been in place for far
longer than I have been a ham.

This is "Amateur" Radio!

Where the creed "If it falls apart. it isn't strong enough, if it
doesn't fall apart, it is over built" , rules the roost.

Everyone whines about one tower or antenna manufacturer, or another,
about perceived deficiencies at both ends of the spectrum. 

One guy builds "junk" that isn't "properly designed", falls
apart....etc.

The other guy is a jerk because he overbuilds his product, robbing
everyone of the last few precious SqFt of Amateur enjoyment, and
therefore is gouging the market with his overpriced designs.

I'm really glad I don't build antennas or towers for this market! There
is absolutely no way to win! One will become "the Jerk" no matter what
he does!

GCO points out that folks have been doing what they damned well please
for a very long time. As long as they are willing to live with the
consequences of their decisions, that would appear to be just fine.
But, there are always those legal beagles who are quick to convince
someone that they really aren't responsible for their own actions. Chalk
that one up to cultural deficiencies.

Too bad, all the bad decisions get buried in the closet, preventing
anyone else from learning from the vast pool of emperical experience.

Ham's have been putting antennas and towers up for many years. 
>From my study of the subject, there has never been an ability to
correlate the antenna figures with the tower figures. That hasn't
stopped anyone yet!

The antenna mechanical design spec's are never presented, hence, never
understood by the users, and the tower design spec's just keep changing.
"And never the twain shall meet."

So, what the heck? If it doesn't fall down and smack me on the noggin,
it must be okay!

I like to view this hobby as "experimental physics", instead of just
plain old Amateur Radio. 

If I properly design and build a bunch of stuff this year, what the heck
am I gonna do next year, if some of it doesn't fall down or function
contrary to my expectations?

That sounds like a boring hobby!

Some readers will know that I think there is a better way.

But, we should let the avocation follow its chosen course......

-- 
73, Kurt, K7NV

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