[TowerTalk] tower in the woods: a close call

[Paul Kelley N1BUG]

During the recent tower in the woods thread I was one who said 
sometimes you do what you can and take your chances. I stand by 
that, as I had limited choices available. But you *do* take your 
chances! During a violent storm last night, I had not one, but two 
close calls. Whew!

A relatively small tree fell on the lower end of one set of guys on 
the 100' tower. The only damage seems to be a bent turnbuckle. A 
*big* tree that was standing about 10' from a guy anchor for the 80' 
tower fell. It was leaning toward the tower but the wind pushed it 
over the other way, onto a neighbor's lot. If it had fallen the way 
it was leaning I would definitely be minus one tower this morning! 
That is by far the largest tree I have seen fall on this property in 
my 30 years experience here. It was a seemingly healthy tree that 
snapped like a toothpick about 8'above ground. Now I admit I'm a bit 
more concerned... but I still have to choose between accepting the 
risk or not having towers at all.

73,
Paul N1BUG