[TowerTalk] Paranoid vs. Overkill

[n4kg@juno.com]

I believe my county (Limestone Co ALA) is rated at 70 MPH (Steve?)
The highest 1 minute sustained winds recorded at the airport were
around 65 mph.

I have had a small tornado come through my woods and separate
'straight line winds' reported as 90 MPH on the local TV WX
report.  My 7 guyed towers and 12 beams all survived.  Most of my 
wire antennas (inverted vees, Delta loops, Beverages) were broken 
by falling trees (a 75 year old oak, 75 year old beech, 80 ft each,
a dozen  80 ft poplars, and several 60 to 80 ft pines).

The OLD Rohn standards were for 30, 40, and 50 psf wind forces
corresponding to 86.6, 100, and 112? MPH.

How lucky do you feel?

Tom  N4KG

On Mon, 10 Sep 2001  "Gary B" <blueis@sprintmail.com> writes:
> 
> TowerTalkians...
> 
> My question is simple.  I live in a "70 mph" wind zone according to 
> what I
> can determine.  Can I SAFELY use the 70 mph figure or should I build 
> in
> additional capacity by purchasing a stronger tower?  Using a 'lower 
> spec'
> Trylon tower (eg, T400 vs. T600) means getting a taller tower at
> approximately the same price.  (Remember:  size does matter!)  What 
> would
> you recommend?  How reliable are the 'wind speed' tables?  Do I 
> stand a
> *reasonable* chance of long service and no tower failure using the 
> 70 mph
> figure?  Or does this all boil down to how lucky I feel?!?
> 
> The more I read, the less likely it is that I can make a decision!
> 
> Tnx
> 
> Gary B
> k3gb
> RVN BTO
> 
> 
> 
> List Sponsored by AN Wireless:  AN Wireless handles Rohn tower 
> systems,
> Trylon Titan towers, coax, hardline and more. Also check out our 
> self
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> http://www.anwireless.com
> 
> -----
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List Sponsored by AN Wireless:  AN Wireless handles Rohn tower systems,
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supporting towers up to 96 feet for under $1500!!  http://www.anwireless.com

-----
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com