[TowerTalk] Subject: temporary guys

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/15/2006 11:52:12 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:

>  I will be helping a friend erect a 100' 45G (plans changed  from 190' to 
100' due to county permitting issues; the tower is to get 900mhz  internet, not 
amateur application and thus subject (in our county) to more  regs).

>  The guys are to be at 31, 61 and 91' according to the  drawings.

>  Questions: First, is there a "strong" reason not  to guy at the 100' 
level, when all that is going up is the access point, it's  directional antenna to 
the backhaul, and a small omni-directional  antenna?


    The reason that the Rohn drawings typically show  the top guys below the 
top of the tower is that the drawings only consider a  commercial antenna 
load; that is, there'll be omni antennas or  dishes mounted at the top and the 
guys would be in the way of the  antennas and mounts - it's just a practical 
consideration.
 
    Yes, put your guys for an amateur installation at  the top of the tower. 
Either there or near the rotator plate since that's  where the wind induced 
torque shows up. That way the torque goes from the  antenna and mast and rotator 
more directly to the guy wires rather than  torquing a tower section. Either 
method is FB.

>  Second...what  about temporary guys when putting it up.  If we don't use 
them, he'll be  up on 3 sections of unguyed tower, which just doesn't seem 
right ;).   What material should we use for them? 
 
    If the bottom section is in concrete you don't  need temporary guys. 
Would you put temporary guys up the whole way? You don't  have to. The naked 
sections are plenty strong - you'd need something like  having them hooked to your 
car and then driving away before you'd pull them  down. Climbing them is 
basically a psychological problem and potential pucker  inducer. If you don't feel 
confident on them, get someone who is. 
 
    OTOH if you're using a pier pin base, then yes,  you'll have to 
temporarily guy them up to the first set of guys. Large rope or  wire cables work fine. 
 
Cheers,
Steve     K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams