[TowerTalk] Crank-Up Tower Base Question

[Gene Smar]

Dick:

     Forms are used all the time in commercial applications, BUT...

1.   Make sure the operator compacts the backfilled dirt in layers about six inches deep at a time.  Otherwise you won't really have undisturbed earth.  In otherwords, he shouldn't just fill up the space around the concrete with earth then tap the top layer with his bucket when he's finished.  

2.   You might have to use a releasing agent on the plywood forms to get the concrete to let go of the wood before backfilling.  And don't think you can get away with allowing the wood to remain in the earth.  It will only rot away after a while and you will not have the benefit of undisturbed earth to support your self-supporting tower.

3.   Consider using another backhoe operator who can dig to your specs.


73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F


From: RICHARD SOLOMON <w1ksz at q.com>
Date: 2007/12/02 Sun PM 02:09:19 CST
To: TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Crank-Up Tower Base Question

I plan to install an LM-470 in the near future. The base specs are 3'6 X 3'6 X 7 feet. A note
on the drawing mentions ..."undisturbed soil"... . The Backhoe Operator tells me the hole he
digs will be more like 6' X 6' and the will use concrete forms to reduce it to the required size.
After the forms are removed, they will backfill the hole.
 
What do you folks think of that plan ? 
 
Thanks, Dick, W1KSZ/7 
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