[TowerTalk] which tower?

[TODD DABNEY]

I just went through EXACTLY the same decision-making process-same antenna order (4+ months till shipped) and agonizing re which tower (shipped immediately).  
Almost ordered the MA-550 but finally decided on the TX-455...very glad I ordered this tower instead of the MA-550.  Well made, well-designed remote controlled motor drive, stable 
rotor mount, minimal swaying in the wiind,  and not much more of an "eye-sore" to the neighbors when fully extended and certainly not when retracted.
I was able to attach the antenna with the tower horozontal >> then elevated to +/- 45 degrees to attach the 2nd set of 3 fiberglass elements (need a 12 foot stepladder). 
You can do all the wiring with the tower horozontal... no cranes, no climbing, no ladders lashed to the verticle tower ....
Then just cranked it the rest of the way to the vertical.  Easy!
3 el Stepp + TX-455 mesh perfectly.  The antenna is worth the wait.
Todd  K4RR> From: towertalk-request at contesting.com> Subject: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 59, Issue 56> To: towertalk at contesting.com> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:33:20 -0500> > Send TowerTalk mailing list submissions to> towertalk at contesting.com> > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to> towertalk-request at contesting.com> > You can reach the person managing the list at> towertalk-owner at contesting.com> > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific> than "Re: Contents of TowerTalk digest..."> > > Today's Topics:> > 1. Which Tower (W4LDE-Ron)> 2. Re: Which Tower (Dr. James C. Garland)> 3. Re: Shunt Feed Help (W5LT)> 4. Radial installation machine (homebrew) (Bill Cotter)> 5. Re: Which Tower (Larry stowell)> 6. Tower/Antenna Work (RICHARD SOLOMON)> 7. Re: Radial installation machine (homebrew) (n8de at thepoint.net)> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------> > Message: 1> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:12:05 -0500> From: W4LDE-Ron <w4lde at cfl.rr.com>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Which Tower> To: TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com>> Message-ID: <47407265.4060005 at cfl.rr.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed> > Would like your input, have a new SteppIR 3-elem on the way, going to > install a new tower, selection looks like either a U.S. Tower MA-550 > telescoping 55ft (Rated for 9sq' at 70mph) with the tilt-over kit or a > Heights Tower 48' telescoping (rated 12sq' at 80mph) with also the > tilt-over kit. Home in a 70mph rated area.> > I am concerned about the swaying on the MA-550 as compared to the > typical triangle style Heights tower. Any comments will be appreciated.> > Will be placing an order 12-1-07, can't get the antenna up until > sometime in March. (long story - HI)> > 73 de - Ron> > > ------------------------------> > Message: 2> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:35:54 -0700> From: "Dr. James C. Garland" <4cx250b at muohio.edu>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Which Tower> To: "'W4LDE-Ron'" <w4lde at cfl.rr.com>, <TowerTalk at contesting.com>> Message-ID: <00e201c82a09$7965b500$bd00a8c0 at Garland>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"> > Ron,> If you're worried about swaying, you might consider a Tashjian Sky Needle> telescoping tubular tower, model TM-358.> (http://www.tashtowers.com/pdf/TM358-01.pdf ) It's pricier than the MA-550,> but _much_ heavier duty and won't sway at all.> > Jim W8ZR> > -----Original Message-----> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of W4LDE-Ron> Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 10:12 AM> To: TowerTalk> Subject: [TowerTalk] Which Tower> > Would like your input, have a new SteppIR 3-elem on the way, going to> install a new tower, selection looks like either a U.S. Tower MA-550> telescoping 55ft (Rated for 9sq' at 70mph) with the tilt-over kit or a> Heights Tower 48' telescoping (rated 12sq' at 80mph) with also the> tilt-over kit. Home in a 70mph rated area.> > I am concerned about the swaying on the MA-550 as compared to the> typical triangle style Heights tower. Any comments will be appreciated.> > Will be placing an order 12-1-07, can't get the antenna up until> sometime in March. (long story - HI)> > 73 de - Ron> _______________________________________________> > > > _______________________________________________> TowerTalk mailing list> TowerTalk at contesting.com> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > > ------------------------------> > Message: 3> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:51:49 -0600> From: "W5LT" <W5LT at tx.rr.com>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Shunt Feed Help> To: "'Kim Elmore'" <cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net>,> <towertalk at contesting.com>> Message-ID: <011201c829fa$ee742110$cb5c6330$@rr.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"> > Kim:> I question the accuracy of the impedance measurement. If it was an accurate> value at the base of the tower, you should have found a good match at around> 200pfd of series capacitance. > Z = R+jX = 65 + (+445-Xc) = 65 + (445-445) = 65 Ohms resistive. > Then: VSWR = 65/50 = 1.3 > > Try measuring again with a different type of instrument. You may be getting> some BC interference to the measuring instrument (quite common at 160m). I> use the AIM4170 from Array Solutions for all my antenna measurements and> find it quite accurate, even with BC interference.> 73s> > Bob, W5LT> > -----Original Message-----> From: Kim Elmore [mailto:cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net] > Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 9:24 PM> To: towertalk at contesting.com> Subject: [TowerTalk] Shunt Feed Help> > I'm sure shunt feeding towers has been beaten to death numerous > times, but I have a specific question.> > I'm shunt feeding my 48 ft tower at 1.8 MHz, with various antennas on > an 8 ft mast above the feed point. I measured the impedance with a > noise bridge and found it to be Xr = 65 ohms X = +445 ohms (inductive).> > The resistive part of the feed point impedance will probably get > closer to 50 ohms as I add radials (there are none right now -- only > three ground rods and the connection to the service ground and shack > ground so all grounds are strapped together).> > I initially I tried feeding it through a 500 pF vacuum variable, and > I also tried varying the spacing of the shunt from the tower, all > while watching the SWR. I couldn't find any combination that worked. > Tomorrow, I'll look at how the impedance changes as I change the > capacitance. I also have a 1000 pF vacuum variable that I've not > tried yet. I've seen examples that use a 500 pF variable in series > with the shunt and 1000 pF variable between the shunt and ground, but > I haven't tried this, yet.> > Am I on the right track? What other tack should I take?else should I > try? I have a good sized B&W coil should work for an L network. > Should I simply try that?> > Kim Elmore, N5OP> > > > > > > ------------------------------> > Message: 4> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 15:10:16 -0500> From: Bill Cotter <n4lg at qx.net>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Radial installation machine (homebrew)> To: "Dan Hearn" <dhearn at air-pipe.com>> Cc: towertalk at contesting.com, 'Joe Wilkowski' <k8fc at k8fc.com>, AD5VJ> Bob <rtnmi at sbcglobal.net>, K2EK at aol.com> Message-ID: <20071118201021.74355318267 at dayton.contesting.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed> > Several years ago, a fellow ham here in KY was figuring out how to > get hundreds of radials under his array. He didn't want to lay them > on the surface, and have the grass 'absorb' them, but rather he > wanted them in the soil an inch or two. He had no intention of > plowing or trenching by hand, so he figured out a clever design of > a radial installation tool.> > What he did was to purchase a cheap electric 'skil saw' from > K-mart, and installed a carbide blade. He built a wooden frame that > held the saw, a roll of #16, a steel guide tube, wheels and weights.> > He attached the wire exiting from the steel tube to the vertical > element, and would pull this contraption away from the radiator to > it's final distance. The reel of wire played out through the steel > tube that followed in the cut trench. At the end, he simply snipped > the wire, and started over with the next radial.> > It sounds dangerous, but from what I saw it was very controlled > cutting, placement of the wire, and the weight of the machine kept > the blade in the ground a good three inches.> > 73 bill n4lg> > > At 11:00 AM 11/18/2007, Dan Hearn wrote:> >I recall that many years ago someone in one of the ham magazines > >showed a> >radial planting device which was mounted to a low platform with > >wheels that> >could be towed like a trailer. He used one of his kids sitting on the> >platform to hold it down. This might be the simplist way to plant > >radials.> >73, Dan, N5AR> >> >-----Original Message-----> >From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> >[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of AD5VJ Bob> >Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 7:52 PM> >To: 'Joe Wilkowski'; K2EK at aol.com; towertalk at contesting.com> >Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment Suggestions> >> >> > Now this is truly worth mentioning. Thanks for the idea. I am > > going to work> >on something I hope I can pull behind my riding lawn> >mower. I have been trying to think of a way to do it economically > >and this> >gives me an idea.> >> >Will it work through rocky soil also?> >> >tnx Bob AD5VJ> >> > > -----Original Message-----> > > From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> > > [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Joe > > Wilkowski> > > Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 1:23 PM> > > To: K2EK at aol.com; towertalk at contesting.com> > > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment Suggestions> > >> > > Bill, sorry I have not been able to get to this for a couple> > > of days. I read your post below and as they say a picture is> > > worth a thousand words.> > > http://www.k8fc.com/radial_plow.htm> > >> > > Anyway, I originally built this to lay electric fence> > > underground for pet containment but found it to be very> > > useful for other ham radio endeavors. I have successfully> > > laid countless thousands of feet of wire with this tool.> > > Also, I have dug trenches for buried hardline and control> > > cables with out a hitch.> > >> > > Probably overkill for you but it may inspire a couple of ideas.> > >> > > Joe K8FC> > > ----- Original Message -----> > > From: <K2EK at aol.com>> > > To: <towertalk at contesting.com>> > > Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 5:00 PM> > > Subject: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment Suggestions> > >> > >> > > > Ever since I moved here I always seem to have some LONG> > > cable run that> > > > needs> > > > to be buried just enough to avoid a mower encounter....> > > >> > > > The really large hard-line run, plus assorted control> > > cables, beverage> > > > cable,> > > > shack cable bundle, etc... (probably 800 feet worth), were> > > handled with a> > > > rental trencher. Worked great. Not inexpensive plus a> > > few hours driving> > > > and a> > > > 100 miles of back and forth gas... Not conducive to> > > impulse creation.> > > >> > > > Has anyone here ever built or acquired a simple, small plow> > > blade, scoop,> > > > digger suitable for a decent sized garden tractor yet> > > capable of digging> > > > enough> > > > trench to bury control line, RG6 bev lines or even a run of> > > RG8 (I use> > > > that> > > > generically).... Something in the 1 - 2 inch deep by 1 or> > > 2 inch wide> > > > category....> > > >> > > > 73 de Bill> > > > K2EK> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > ************************************** See what's new at> > > > http://www.aol.com> > > > _______________________________________________> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > _______________________________________________> > > > TowerTalk mailing list> > > > TowerTalk at contesting.com> > > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > >> > >> > > _______________________________________________> > >> > >> > >> > > _______________________________________________> > > TowerTalk mailing list> > > TowerTalk at contesting.com> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > >> >> >_______________________________________________> >> >> >> >_______________________________________________> >TowerTalk mailing list> >TowerTalk at contesting.com> >http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> >> >_______________________________________________> >> >> >> >_______________________________________________> >TowerTalk mailing list> >TowerTalk at contesting.com> >http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > > ------------------------------> > Message: 5> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:45:02 -0500> From: "Larry stowell" <lclarks at nc.rr.com>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Which Tower> To: "'W4LDE-Ron'" <w4lde at cfl.rr.com>, "'TowerTalk'"> <towertalk at contesting.com>> Message-ID:> <!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAALsBWfsc0RVBu+KaBDEljV3CgAAAEAAAAE2G2e2jyk9MlQ8y8T73b5YBAAAAAA==@nc.rr.com>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"> > > I have a 75hd Aluma tower with a 4 el with 40/30 element. Its been up for 5 years with out a> problem. Its mounted with a "ground mount" which takes no concrete. Its motorized for up and sown> and manual tilt over. I also have a hinge on the mast so I don't need even a step ladder to maintain> the antenna. > > Larry K1ZW> Durham, NC > > -----Original Message-----> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of> W4LDE-Ron> Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 12:12 PM> To: TowerTalk> Subject: [TowerTalk] Which Tower> > Would like your input, have a new SteppIR 3-elem on the way, going to install a new tower, selection> looks like either a U.S. Tower MA-550 telescoping 55ft (Rated for 9sq' at 70mph) with the tilt-over> kit or a Heights Tower 48' telescoping (rated 12sq' at 80mph) with also the tilt-over kit. Home in a> 70mph rated area.> > I am concerned about the swaying on the MA-550 as compared to the typical triangle style Heights> tower. Any comments will be appreciated.> > Will be placing an order 12-1-07, can't get the antenna up until sometime in March. (long story -> HI)> > 73 de - Ron> _______________________________________________> > > > _______________________________________________> TowerTalk mailing list> TowerTalk at contesting.com> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > > ------------------------------> > Message: 6> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:20:37 +0000> From: RICHARD SOLOMON <w1ksz at q.com>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Tower/Antenna Work> To: TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com>> Message-ID: <BAY130-W14990B2D8F70A63C88E212E07D0 at phx.gbl>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"> > Is anyone in the Tucson/Phoenix area interested in doing a small Tower/Antenna job ?> I have a Rohn 25 base and one section already installed. I need someone to add one> straight section and a Top section and install 4 verticals at the top.> I have a Gin Pole and the Rohn sections in hand. Antennas and Coax are also in hand.> I can handle the ground system.> > Thanks, Dick, W1KSZ/7> > ------------------------------> > Message: 7> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:09:14 -0500> From: n8de at thepoint.net> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Radial installation machine (homebrew)> To: Bill Cotter <n4lg at qx.net>> Cc: towertalk at contesting.com, 'Joe Wilkowski' <k8fc at k8fc.com>, Dan> Hearn <dhearn at air-pipe.com>, K2EK at aol.com, AD5VJ Bob> <rtnmi at sbcglobal.net>> Message-ID: <20071118180914.rpw9qvhggg8s8sww at webmail.win.net>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; DelSp="Yes";> format="flowed"> > The skil-saw is a waste of time/money/energy.> Simply using a weighted, flat bed made of wood and having a 'keel > blade' made of steel or thick aluminum is sufficient to make the cut > in the ground.> A steel or aluminum guide tube, immediately behind the 'keel' will > plant the radials as deep as the tube 'rides'.> Mine leave radials about 4-6 inches deep.> Don> N8DE> > Quoting Bill Cotter <n4lg at qx.net>:> > > Several years ago, a fellow ham here in KY was figuring out how to> > get hundreds of radials under his array. He didn't want to lay them> > on the surface, and have the grass 'absorb' them, but rather he> > wanted them in the soil an inch or two. He had no intention of> > plowing or trenching by hand, so he figured out a clever design of> > a radial installation tool.> >> > What he did was to purchase a cheap electric 'skil saw' from> > K-mart, and installed a carbide blade. He built a wooden frame that> > held the saw, a roll of #16, a steel guide tube, wheels and weights.> >> > He attached the wire exiting from the steel tube to the vertical> > element, and would pull this contraption away from the radiator to> > it's final distance. The reel of wire played out through the steel> > tube that followed in the cut trench. At the end, he simply snipped> > the wire, and started over with the next radial.> >> > It sounds dangerous, but from what I saw it was very controlled> > cutting, placement of the wire, and the weight of the machine kept> > the blade in the ground a good three inches.> >> > 73 bill n4lg> >> >> > At 11:00 AM 11/18/2007, Dan Hearn wrote:> >> I recall that many years ago someone in one of the ham magazines> >> showed a> >> radial planting device which was mounted to a low platform with> >> wheels that> >> could be towed like a trailer. He used one of his kids sitting on the> >> platform to hold it down. This might be the simplist way to plant> >> radials.> >> 73, Dan, N5AR> >>> >> -----Original Message-----> >> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> >> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of AD5VJ Bob> >> Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 7:52 PM> >> To: 'Joe Wilkowski'; K2EK at aol.com; towertalk at contesting.com> >> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment Suggestions> >>> >>> >> Now this is truly worth mentioning. Thanks for the idea. I am> >> going to work> >> on something I hope I can pull behind my riding lawn> >> mower. I have been trying to think of a way to do it economically> >> and this> >> gives me an idea.> >>> >> Will it work through rocky soil also?> >>> >> tnx Bob AD5VJ> >>> >> > -----Original Message-----> >> > From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> >> > [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Joe> >> Wilkowski> >> > Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 1:23 PM> >> > To: K2EK at aol.com; towertalk at contesting.com> >> > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment Suggestions> >> >> >> > Bill, sorry I have not been able to get to this for a couple> >> > of days. I read your post below and as they say a picture is> >> > worth a thousand words.> >> > http://www.k8fc.com/radial_plow.htm> >> >> >> > Anyway, I originally built this to lay electric fence> >> > underground for pet containment but found it to be very> >> > useful for other ham radio endeavors. I have successfully> >> > laid countless thousands of feet of wire with this tool.> >> > Also, I have dug trenches for buried hardline and control> >> > cables with out a hitch.> >> >> >> > Probably overkill for you but it may inspire a couple of ideas.> >> >> >> > Joe K8FC> >> > ----- Original Message -----> >> > From: <K2EK at aol.com>> >> > To: <towertalk at contesting.com>> >> > Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 5:00 PM> >> > Subject: [TowerTalk] Cable Treatment Suggestions> >> >> >> >> >> > > Ever since I moved here I always seem to have some LONG> >> > cable run that> >> > > needs> >> > > to be buried just enough to avoid a mower encounter....> >> > >> >> > > The really large hard-line run, plus assorted control> >> > cables, beverage> >> > > cable,> >> > > shack cable bundle, etc... (probably 800 feet worth), were> >> > handled with a> >> > > rental trencher. Worked great. Not inexpensive plus a> >> > few hours driving> >> > > and a> >> > > 100 miles of back and forth gas... Not conducive to> >> > impulse creation.> >> > >> >> > > Has anyone here ever built or acquired a simple, small plow> >> > blade, scoop,> >> > > digger suitable for a decent sized garden tractor yet> >> > capable of digging> >> > > enough> >> > > trench to bury control line, RG6 bev lines or even a run of> >> > RG8 (I use> >> > > that> >> > > generically).... Something in the 1 - 2 inch deep by 1 or> >> > 2 inch wide> >> > > category....> >> > >> >> > > 73 de Bill> >> > > K2EK> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > > ************************************** See what's new at> >> > > http://www.aol.com> >> > > _______________________________________________> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > > _______________________________________________> >> > > TowerTalk mailing list> >> > > TowerTalk at contesting.com> >> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> > >> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________> >> > TowerTalk mailing list> >> > TowerTalk at contesting.com> >> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> >> >>> >> _______________________________________________> >>> >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________> >> TowerTalk mailing list> >> TowerTalk at contesting.com> >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________> >>> >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________> >> TowerTalk mailing list> >> TowerTalk at contesting.com> >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> > _______________________________________________> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________> > TowerTalk mailing list> > TowerTalk at contesting.com> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> >> > > > > > ------------------------------> > _______________________________________________> TowerTalk mailing list> TowerTalk at contesting.com> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk> > > End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 59, Issue 56> *****************************************
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