[TowerTalk] Brand new and appreciate help---Glen Martin tower & more..

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/29/2005 6:48:20 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:

>  Just got a general license.  
 
    Congratulations! Hope you have as much fun as I  have. 
 
>  Appreciate all the help that has been shown me.  I want  to put up a 3 
element SteppIR on top of a Glen Martin 9 foot or 17 foot  roof-top tower.  The 
tower will be going onto a one story home (60 years  old) in Los 
Angeles---E.I.A. 70 M.P.H. I am getting a Yaesu G 1000 SDX  rotator.  I have been told it's 
a good (very good) idea to guy the  tower.  I also have an Icom 756 Pro2.  
Thanks everyone for any and  all help....73.....Cary  KI6BMM



    I've installed a bunch of the GME 9-footers and  they're great. The one 
thing I do is to use all-thread thru backing 2x4's in the  attic. GME wants you 
to use lag screws screwed into a roof joist - it's not  very practical and 
depends on the lag screw for holding power. By using backing  plates in the 
attic and all-thread you spread the forces over a much larger area  of your roof 
than the lag screws. 
 
    (For anyone quibbling about my violation of the LXC  Prime Directive to 
"DO what the manufacturer says", this comes under the heading  of "Improvements 
and Over-Engineering".)
 
    I'd suggest that the much larger overturning moment  from the 17-footer 
wouldn't be worth the small increase of  wavelength-above-ground height of the 
antenna. 
 
Cheers,
Steve   K7LXC
TOWER TECH