[TowerTalk] Trams and trolleys

[K4SB]

K4FJ at aol.com wrote:
> I am looking for published info regarding trams and trolleys in the erection
> of antennas, and I am looking in all the wrong places.  Looking for photos,
> drawings, descriptions, etc.
---------------------------

In reality, I think I have only seen 1 or 2 articles in almost 50
years. But the concept is pretty simple.

1. Attach a good synthetic rope ( Home Depot ) to as high above the
plane of the yagi as you can. ( but not over 4 or 5 feet ). BEFORE you
tie it off to the mast, insert the line through the CLOSED section of
a good pulley. Tie off the pulley so it doesn't run down the line. 

2. Run the rope out as far as you can in a clear direction to achieve
a minimum angle to the ground. ( I park my pick up in the front yard,
tie the line off to a come-a-long and 
tighten the rope until taunt.

3. Now, before you try to hit a high "C" with the tension, make sure
you have installed a "back guy", which is simply another rope tied to
the mast but running 180 degrees from the main man. Now tighten it up
with another come-a-long to about the same tension. And don't over do
the tension!!

4. Most antennas have a boom to mast mounting plate. If you can find a
"guy wire tensioner", undo the upper bolts and mount it to the plate.
Use the other end to bolt through the "hanging" hole of the pulley.

5. Now, wrap another line around a leg section of the tower a couple
of times, and tie one end to the plate. Make sure this line is long
enough to go to the PU truck. Make a temporary tie off of the other
end.

6. Now, undo the yagi, and it will run a few inches down the line in
2. Then take your temporary tie loose ( not the end connected to the
plate ) and slowly let it out.

The antenna will glide down the tensioned wire as you let out the line
in 5.

And that's it. The thing will lower under your control. Probably a
good idea to tie off your "control" rope before the yagi hits the pick
up. 

Come down the tower, back the pick up about 5 feet toward the tower,
and you have it.

When you're ready to put the antenna back up, just reverse the
procedure.

Although I have done this alone, a buddy on the ground makes things go
faster, and it's a lot more safe. Wear a belt and take care.

73
Ed 

6. Now, just tie