[BULK] - [TowerTalk] Tower Suggestions???

[Steve Katz]

> TowerTalk,
> 
> I would like a recommendation on a crankup or tilt-over tower or similiar
> idea for the home qth. I purchased a Explorer 14 Beam and rotor from
> another ham. Part of the deal was that I take it down. It was a good
> experience climbing the tower and removing the beam, mast and  2 meter
> vertical. A local ham kindly donated his tower climbing equipment, which
> definately made the job easier. Things went real smooth for my first time.
> The reason for my question is that I just turned 50 and the thought of
> continually climbing a tower to make changes...that is, as I get older,
> there needs to be a easier, safer, way. I surely don't relish the thought
> of doing this when I am 60+. Curious as to your thoughts.
> 
> Tom, K0PYK
> 
> //I like crank-ups because they don't need guys and I can bring the
> antennas down to roof level or so to work on them (with the tower right
> next to the house), so not "much" climbing required.
> 
> Although I admit that as I get older, I tend to get "rung foot" faster --
> that's the pain experienced by standing for a time on tower rungs!  A
> "work platform" is a huge asset in this case, as is getting somebody else
> to climb for you!
> 
> I've had and used tilt-overs before and never cared much for them because
> of the accessible horizontal space required and the time they take to
> crank over and back up.  I guess with a powerful motorized winch and
> everything well designed, a crank-over could go down or up in just a
> minute or two, but the ones I've had and used weren't like that.  Plus, if
> you have large antennas up top, when you crank the tower over, you can't
> let it get too close to the ground...so it's common to end up working on a
> ladder.  Which may be more comfortable than standing on tower rungs, but
> it's not a lot safer, especially as we get older and are more likely to
> topple.
> 
> WB2WIK/6