[Towertalk] Lighting Protection and Roof Towers

[Thomas Miller]

If there ain't tar all over you you did not use enough. Tom ac5tm

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Ogden" <na9d@speakeasy.net>
To: "Jason Hissong" <jhisson1@columbus.rr.com>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 8:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Lighting Protection and Roof Towers


> on 12/12/02 10:10 PM, Jason Hissong at jhisson1@columbus.rr.com wrote:
>
> > Tower progress continues... thought the comments from the engineer was
> > interesting.
> >
> > In my packet of information to submit for my building permit, I drew up
some
> > plans showing the grounding I plan to do.  The engineer looked at it and
> > said it was way overkill that the code only requires one ground rod.
> > (almost sounded like he was thinking I was wasting my money)  I thought
that
> > was pretty amazing.
>
> Hence my comments that just following "code" is not always best.  My
niece's
> husband is a civil engineer.  When he saw the way we were building my deck
> this summer he said it was overkill.  I wouldn't go on a deck built the
way
> the "expert" suggested it.
>
> Yes, in reality, code is one ground rod and while I believe it is in the
> NEMA standards to have all grounds connected, I don't know if it is in all
> the electrical codes of villages.  A local guy here who had his tower
> inspected back when they inspected ham towers in our village said his
> inspector said basically the same thing about the grounds.
>
> The civil engineer probably knows didly-squat about lightning and RF.
> >
> > Also, I am getting some lucky breaks.  In order for me to get the
permit, I
> > had to get a state certified engineer to look it over and place a
certified
> > seal on it.  I sharpened my pencil and drafted (I have never drafted
before)
> > the plans on the installation of the tower.  Scaled and everything!  The
> > first engineering firm stated that it would cost 400.00 for them to
certify
> > it.  However, they recommended another engineer.  He looked the plan
over,
> > stamped it, and asked for $75.00.  I asked him if he had concerns about
the
> > installation and he said that if my roof could not hold this thing up, I
> > have more problems to worry about than the tower.  Also, he was more
> > concerned about leaking.
>
> Good for you.  Glad it's working out!
>
> In terms of leakage:  Use a lot of roof tar.  Put it everywhere.  When you
> drill your holes, squirt it in your holes, around your bolts, under the
> tower feet, around the tower feet, etc.  My view is that you can't have
too
> much!  It's cheap and good insurance.  And it's easy to apply with a caulk
> gun.  Messy, yes.
>
> 73,
>
> Jon
> NA9D
>
> -------------------------------------
> Jon Ogden
> NA9D (ex: KE9NA)
>
> Citizen of the People's Democratic Republik of Illinois
>
> Life Member: ARRL, NRA
> Member:  AMSAT, DXCC
>
> http://www.qsl.net/na9d
>
> "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> AN Wireless Self Supporting Towers at discounted prices,
> See http://www.mscomputer.com
>
> Wireless Weather Stations now $349.95. Call Toll Free,
> 888-333-9041 for additional information.
> _______________________________________________
> Towertalk mailing list
> Towertalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk