[TowerTalk] Radials

[Dino Darling]

The loops at the base of the tower are Austin Transformers.  They power the steady burn lamps and the beacons.

It is a pier-pin base.  Gravity holds the tower on the base (and the pin helps too).  Here is a picture of the original installation in 1947 (scroll to bottom) and what it looks like after the plane hit it last December...
http://www.earthsignals.com/images/kfi/index.htm

I had the pleasure of working on this tower in March/April 2004 where we replaced the ORIGINAL guy wires from 1947.  A total of 6 cables were replaced.  During the last cable change out, I took my video camera up the tower with me and I do club talks while showing the video.  Ever wonder how they replace guy wires on a 6' face 750' brodcast tower?  :-)


-----Original Message-----
From: ersmar at comcast.net
Sent: Nov 21, 2005 8:27 AM
To: Dino Darling <k6rix at earthlink.net>, towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Radials

Dino:

     Thanks for the very interesting photo, which raises a few questions:

1.   What are the pairs of loops at the base?  Torroidal transformers for the feedlines?    

2.   Is that a pier-pin base at the narrow/waist of the two insulators?  Or is it a solid casting?  If pier-pin, how far up the tower is the first guy point?  Or are the castings locked together somehow?

     Inquiring minds want to know.  Thanks

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F



> See here...
> 
> http://www.earthsignals.com/Collins/0020/0008_1.jpg
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> 
> Medium wave bc stations routinely rely on their radial system for lighting 
> protection (among other things).  A pair of electrodes with a roughly 1/2 
> inch air gap is a standard component on their towers, one side bonded to the 
> hot tower; the other on the base which is bonded to 4 to 6 inch wide cu 
> straps going down the exposed sides of the base pier to the counterpoise 
> screen and radials.
> _______________________________________________
> 
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather 
> Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions 
> and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> 
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