[TowerTalk] Tower costs

[Alan NV8A (ex. AB2OS)]

How do you (generic "you") know what loads your roof will stand? How can 
you be sure that a good strong wind -- 60mph, 80mph -- won't take the 
antenna and the tower and a section of roof -- or the whole roof -- with it?

Alan NV8A


On 08/24/04 10:37 am W4ZW put fingers to keyboard and launched the 
following message into cyberspace:

> One often overlooked, inexpensive tower option is the roof mounted tower.  I
> use the Glen Martin 9' roof mount here and it is a great tower for less than
> $400.  My house is three stories on the ocean and the tower and elevation
> above sea level gets me to the 80' level before I put on the mast.  I have a
> flat roof with a substantial deck built on it that is bolted into the steel
> and concrete construction of the house.  Only problem I have is the coupling
> with the steel in the house when turning the antennas.  I also use the Rohn
> push-up masts.  I have several  of the 50 footers, one telescoped to 20'
> that is used to hang either a full wave loop on 80 or a bi-square from the
> top of the house.  The other is only the first three sections fixed to the
> elevator housing at three points with thrust bearings and a Ham-M at the
> base.  The sections are only partially extended to about 14' overall height
> and supports a CC A4S. 
> 
> These work very well and all  have withstood microbursts off the gulf that
> have exceeded 75 mph.  I disassembled  the yagis but left the booms up for
> Hurricane Charley's winds, but the towers are still straight and secure.
> Charley passed about 35  miles south of me here.  If the Glen Martin 9'
> model is properly installed, and the roof well waterproofed, it is a great
> tower.  I did have some problem initially with some drumming sound in the
> third floor main room, but that was cured by using longer pieces of 2x6"
> beams to spread the stress over the deck area.
> 
>  I have a CC 402CD and a SteppIR on the Glen Martin.  I have four A4S's that
> I put up as the need arises on several of the Rohn push-up masts that I guy
> with sailing Dyema line at three levels on the masts.  The CC A3S and the
> A4S are very good, lightweight, effective tribanders that are easy to
> assemble and install.  I do all my antenna tower work by myself and being
> able to readily access the antennas and rotors is great.
> 
> Years ago, I had a short, sturdy rooftop tower on a two story house that
> turned a TH-6DXX that also worked well.
> 
> YMMV,
> 
> 
> Jon Hamlet, W4ZW
> 
> Casey Key Island, FL
> "A little piece of paradise in the Gulf of Mexico" 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 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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