[TowerTalk] Broken Self Supporting Crank Up Tower

Dave NØRQ n0rq-1 at dfwair.net
Fri Jun 11 22:12:18 EDT 2004


Though I agree with the intent of the comments, which I think was
"too many guys overload their towers or don't install them correctly",
I think that it is quite incorrect to categorize all self-supporting towers
in the same way.

We all probably know of hams that have done shoddy or under-
engineered installations -- because towers sometimes fall down ---
both guyed and self-supporting ones, I might add!

When I put up my self-supporting Trylon T600 64' a few years ago,
I selected the size, not based on my area's wind speed of 70 mph,
but on 100 mph.  With only 15 sqft of antennas on it, I think that it
will continue to support itself quite well.  And it if does fall, my house
will probably be missing or severely damaged, in which case the broken
tower will be the least of my concerns.

Self-supporting towers are great, even here in Texas,
IF DONE CORRECTLY.   Guyed towers are fine, too,
IF DONE CORRECTLY.

Dave NØRQ
Melissa, TX
www.qsl.net/n0rq


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wendell Wyly - W5FL" <wendell at wyly.org>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 7:43 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Broken Self Supporting Crank Up Tower


>
> Driving home today after a recent thunderstorm, I saw a crank up
> (telescoping triangular tower) BROKEN completely in two pieces with the
beam
> hanging nearly on the ground.  This was a fairly heavy duty tower with
only
> a tri-bander on it and only about a 50 foot tower.  He needs a crane to
get
> it down now.
>
> Never ceases to amaze me that it takes me 8 5/16 EHS guys to hold my Rohn
45
> tower and small 2 element quad antenna  and others seem to think a little
> piece of concrete is going to hold their crank up towers in the extended
> position indefinitely.  I am sure the load was only 6-8 sq feet, but that
> was enough.
>
> As Don, K5DUT often said, "Self Supporting Towers in Texas aren't"
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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



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