[TowerTalk] a solution for HOA problems?

[Michael Tope]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Lux" <jimlux at earthlink.net>

> While sitting in traffic the other day, I was looking at one of those cell
> towers that looks like a tree (a very realistic coniferous one, I might 
> add).
>
> Then, I looked at a vertical in my back yard next to a tall skinny
> Melaleuca tree (it's a kind of bushy eucalypt
> http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31992/index.html) and it occurred to me that
> hams could do the same as the wireless companies, on a smaller scale.
>
> So, the question is, where would one get suitable fake branches? Does
> anyone know anything about the design of the faux tree cell towers?  What
> kind of tree would be best to fake?  Probably want something that's fairly
> tall and skinny, but not as bushy as the Melaleuca.  Heck, it would be a
> lot safer in a fire prone area where the Melaleuca is like having a big
> oily firestarter next to your house.
>
> (100 ft tall Palm trees?)
>

These guys had 40ft artificial Christmas trees for around $10K
(the 40ft appear to be sold out):

http://www.treeclassics.com/product.asp?ProductFamilyID=GS

Pretty expensive, but probably cheap compared to a cell tree (I hear
those go for over $100K). Dunno about of the wind rating of the
faux Xmas tree, however :)

Mike, W4EF...............................................