[TowerTalk] Hardware Question

[Bob Maser]

Hi Doug,  Your tower question brings back memories.  I had (actually a
fellow ham in the Rochester, NY area owned the tower and I put it up at my
location) a 70' Aermotor tower.  I put it up and took it down 3 different
times.  To facilitate putting it up you need a special tool to help stretch
the soft metal diagonals onto the protruding bolt.  If you need a further
description of the tool, call me at 813-643-3034.  I am in the Tampa, FL
area.

As for taking an Aermotor tower down, 2 people can do the task in about 4
hours.  Just start at the top and dismantle going down.  We found that only
the top most vertical sections have to be lowered with a rope and pulley.
They are kind of bent in the top 30% and are slightly longer than the rest
of the vertical sections.  Once they are down, just remove parts and let
them fall.  This is the way we did it and we never damaged anything.  It
helps to have a pry bar to pry the diagonals off.  Try to keep the diagonal
wires in order for ease of putting the tower back up.

Good luck,

Bob Maser  W6TR
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Rehman" <rehman at surveil.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 11:09 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Hardware Question


I am in the process of taking down a 60' freestanding tower made by
Aermotor. They are best known as windmill and windmill tower manufacturers.
This is a three leg tower that is extremely similar to their four leg
windmill towers. This tower was delivered in 1957 and was one of their "TV
Antenna" towers (rated for at least 20 square feet at 85 MPH- one heck of a
TV antenna...).

The hardware is in very good shape, especially considering it is 46 years
old. It is a little tight coming apart, but I don't really want to spray
penetrating oil on each nut/bolt before removing them- I really don't like
the idea of oil on a tower I'm climbing (not to mention my hands while
climbing). To make it easier putting the tower back together, I was
contemplating soaking all of the nuts and bolts in WD40 for a day or so. Any
thoughts as to whether this is a good or bad idea?

Also, does anybody have any experience with these towers? Any tips for
disassembly or reassembly?

Doug
K4DDR



_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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