[TowerTalk] split tubing in base leg

[Bill Tippett]

SM2CEW wrote:
 >I would drill holes in each leg at the
bottom of the tower, else water freezing might make more cracks lower than
the present one.

         In fact I almost wonder why this is
not a recommended procedure anyway.  In
dismantling N4SU's aluminum tower, the
last section of aluminum fit into steel
tubes which had a small drain hole
drilled at the bottom of each steel tube.
It had been up nearly 25 years with no
indication of split tubing, although the
holes appeared to be partially plugged
with rust particles.  If I had a tower like
this, I would periodically check those
holes and clean them out.

         Instead of a gravel base at the
bottom of galvanized towers, I have
always used 2 pound coffee cans filled
with gravel surrounding each leg, with
the bottom of each leg resting on gravel
~3" above the bottom of each can.
I puncture several holes in the bottom
of each can to allow water to drain.  The
steel eventually rusts leaving hardened
concrete surrounding 3 gravel plugs.
Why waste the expense and physical
energy to completely cover the entire
base area with gravel?  Call me cheap
and lazy!  :-)

                         73,  Bill  W4ZV

P.S.  Peter, you always have exceptional
ears to hear my QRP to a piece of wire on
20m.  Whatever you use works very well!