[TowerTalk] Windmill Towers

[n4gi at tampabay.rr.com]

Aeromotor.  wouldn't recommend those things to my worst enemy.  

1) narrow little steps are only located on one leg of the 4. 
2) the base is so wide at the bottom, it's impossible to raise an antenna straight up the side.  
3) How the !@#$% do you fasten a ginpole to it???
4) The wide base also is a PITA when raising lowering things on ropes (everything drags up the side or goes down into the center).  This really can suck when you're working up top alone.
5) One slip and you'll be instantly dismembered by small cris-crossing support wires holding the thing together.

Yep, It's on my "no-climb" list.  

73,
Blake N4GI




----- Original Message -----
From: Larry Saletzki <wa9vrh at mtco.com>
Date: Friday, April 16, 2004 3:59 pm
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Windmill Towers

> Hi Tim,
> 
> I can't vouch for putting one up but I did take one down a number 
> of years
> ago. It was a 40' and had what was left of the fan assembly and 
> motor still
> on it. This one was made in the late '30's from what I could find 
> out. There
> were two of us on the rather age worn oak platform but it with 
> stood us
> taking the fan and motor off. From there it was a dismantle and 
> take apart
> like an erector set. It did not move with the two of us on it 
> which was real
> good because I don't like heights. (yes even 40')
> If I remember correctly it had an 8' spread on the legs and was a 
> 4 legger.
> What really amazed me was the old stove bolts came off with ease. 
> There were
> 2 that needed a shot of WD-40 and one that requried the torch to 
> loosen.This windmill had been there for many years. It is an 
> Aeromotor and they are
> still in business:
> http://www.aermotorwindmill.com/Index.asp
> 
> I believe it would make a great tower and could handle my sq feet of
> antenna.
> My 2 cents!
> 73 Larry WA9VRH
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tim Makins, EI8IC" <contesting at eircom.net>
> To: "TowerTalk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 1:10 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Windmill Towers
> 
> 
> > Whilst looking at this page http://www.qsl.net/aa0mz/nbred.htm I 
> cameacross
> > this excellent photo of a windmill tower here:
> >
> > http://www.qsl.net/aa0mz/notresp.jpg
> >
> > This got me wondering why windmill towers are rarely, if ever, 
> mentionedon
> > this forum. Looking at the photo, it seems that it shouldn't be too
> > difficult to make something like that, and would give a strong self
> > supporting platform for an antenna.
> >
> > Has anyone made one of these, or used one of these ? Have you 
> any comments
> > to make about the advantages or disadvantages of a windmill 
> tower ?
> >
> > 73s Tim EI8IC
> > www.qsl.net/ei8ic
> > www.mapability.com/ei8ic
> >
> > Home of the Global Overlay Mapper
> > Read the Dec'03 QST review online.
> > Many more Contest and Newbie Resources.
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", 
> "WirelessWeather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-
> 333-9041 with any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
> >
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 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.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>