[TowerTalk] newbie with tower

[Jim Jarvis]

This appears to be a rohn 20.  It is a light duty tower
intended to hold up TV antennas.  It seems to be holding
a scanner antenna, a tv antenna or UHF corner reflector,
an anemometer, and on top there appears to be the radials
of a VHF vertical.  If the vertical itself is still there,
it's in line with a radial, and I can't tell from the picture.

This tower is being held up principally by the two chimney
straps.  The "house" brackets are lightly tied into facia board
and brickface...or chimney brick...with a lead anchor, or similar.
>From the picture, it can't be determined what the tower is sitting
on, or in.  Perhaps there IS a foundation, but I'm betting there
isn't.

I would doubt that the chimney is moving.  More likely, the tower
is moving w/resp to the chimney.  But you need to determine that.
Either way, the following is what I would do personally, and advocate that
you do:

1)  This tower is not safe to climb.  The installation itself is not safe.

2)  If you don't want the stuff on top, use a block and tackly, and
lay the tower over.  If a foundation is in the way of this, cut the
back leg, and pull it over from a safe distance.

3)  If you DO want the stuff, or can't lay it over, rent a bucket
truck and use that to do the work aloft.

4)  Bucket truck or lift or crane is cheap, compared to medical expenses.

5)  If you want to put amateur antennas on a tower,  scrap this thing,
buy rohn 25, and be safe.

My guess is, this belonged to a police, fire, or EMT.  You may be able to
give it to a fireman, and let them take it down using their ladder truck, at
no expense to you.

Free towers are no bargain.  If you decide to work on this tower, make
sure your life insurance, and long-term disability are paid up!

N2EA