[TowerTalk] Question for crank owners

[K8RI on Tower talk]

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> Personally it surprises me why anyone would buy a motorized crank-up and
> leave it up. Why not protect it from any sudden storms ??  I just let
> the coax hang from the top of the tower and it freely coils up on the
> ground.  The limit switches have proven reliable for the last 8 years
> and it is a simple flick of a switch...and up it goes.

The short answer?  When I come in to operate I expect to turn on the switch 
and go.  When I finish operating in the evening I point the antenna where "I 
think" the band will be open when I get back on.

Some might say lazy, but I go through all the set up for the next session 
before shutting down. I want to be prepared when I get back on. So if I had 
a crank up, the only time it'd come down would be for severe storm warnings 
or maintenance.  I use the current system with winds up to around 50 or a 
bit higher.  I'd expect to do the same with a crank up.

Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com
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