[TowerTalk] (no subject)

[K7GCO@aol.com]

In a message dated 22.01.00 09:07:41 Pacific Standard Time, jdc@ieway.com 
writes:
WOW!!!  This is a REAL DEAL!!
Typically a 130 foot pole would be anywhere from $1500 to $2500.
73 and buy all you can!
Jim W7RY

   Compared the cost of a self supporting tower of EQUAL strength, cost of 
installation, maintenance and concrete for say 118' high, that's a fair price 
and far less than the equivalent tower with guys, space for them that would 
carry the same load.  What's the cost of the extra land needed for the guys 
and it’s eye sore cost to the wife?  Some wife’s have totally outlawed 
installations with guys but not telephone poles.  As I said "I would have 4 
slopers doubling as guys on any pole I used in particular over 60’."  Does 
anyone have a single report of a properly guyed single pole ever coming down 
even in commercial use?  Ham loads are far less.  Consider guying a pole at 
say 25 or 50% height. Your house will be gone before that comes down.  
   I appreciate not having guy wires to contend with when raising an antenna 
as I'm constantly changing and testing them.  Most have someone else put them 
up only once and they stay until the antenna falls apart.  Those who hire 
your work done haven't been properly adjusted to fully appreciate the 
convenience of no or temporary guy wires.  A 69 I still do all my own tower 
work. I run a lot of antenna tests and I can lower the pole slopers/guys I 
suggest for hurricane security for the test.  Bigger winds have occurred and 
more are coming.  Telephone poles with my "Security 3 or 4 Sloper/Guys" above 
60’ is a way to go for the least cost and maintenance.
   WZeroAIH has one of the biggest antennas installations anywhere using 
poles.  There is a reason and I plan to see it.
    I have a simple and inexpensive system I developed that allows one person 
to safely raise even a quad up and around guys wires right to the mast 
attachment point in minutes.  Any system that allows raising an antenna 
straight up a no guy wire tower is still better than up and around the guys 
even with a simple system.  Because of simplified antenna installation 
techniques I've developed over 60 years of doing it even in bad weather, I've 
been able to run hundreds of tests or replacements not possible with what 
many feel one should have that don’t experiment. 
    I would like to make a suggestion.  Many have given their observations 
Pro’s & Con’s on all topics which is great and a big reason for TT.  The 
"Cons" are important for cost, longevity and safety.  Too many live only on 
"Cons".  Lets have more creative and inventive ways to get around them with 
more positive "Pro’s".  Many have come up with great "Pro’s" based on facts 
and being really objective.  Gary verified poles have been set for $40 by REA 
where they also dig the hole (also no concrete expense) in an hour and many 
50’ ham installations can use even a cheap used pole without guys.  Add 4 
sloper/guys for dual use.  Run heavy ground wires to drain static electricity 
that plagues yagi’s and apparently not quads.  Is there anyone who wants to 
talk about that?  They even add the spike steps for $.50 each.  Such a deal!  
Poles lend themselves to a 2 wire track system for quick up and down of the 
antenna.  Nothing commercially compares in any way.  Wake up and smell the 
"Pro's."  I've probably spend more time on a tower installing antennas than 
98% of the hams.  I know what I like, what costs the least and bigger winds 
are coming.  Are you prepared?
K7GCO

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