[TowerTalk] Researching a tower.

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/12/2008 4:14:39 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:

>  I am researching a tower and if I have it my way I will be  able to put
one up within the next 2 years unless something really  inexpensive comes
up in the mean time.  The XYL does not want me  climbing the beast so
that makes me have to consider a crank up.  At  present I am thinking of
the US-Towers HDX555.  I am trying to fit  wants/needs and village
requirements all together so I do not have to pull  a PRB-1 act.


    The first thing you need is Fred Hopengarten,  K1VR's book on Zoning from 
the ARRL. 

>  _http://www.lith.org/Development/Zoning.shtml_ 
(http://www.lith.org/Development/Zoning.shtml) 
Highlights.
Antennas  with surface areas exceeding 10 square
feet: antennas and antenna support  structures
having a combined surface area greater than 10
square feet or  having any single dimension
exceeding 12 feet shall be permitted as  an
accessory use if and only if they comply with the
following  regulations:
A.Height Limit for Detached Antennas: No
combination of  such antenna and antenna
support structure shall, if ground  mounted,
exceed 65 feet in height.
The antenna and its
support  structure shall be designed to
withstand a wind force of 80 miles per  hour
without the use of supporting guy wires.
Setback from Adjacent  Buildings: No antenna or
its support structure shall be located in  any
required side yard or nearer than one-half of the
height of the  antenna and support structure to
any habitable building on any adjacent  property.
 
    Well, that some verbiage but every building  department has different 
regulations even though they might be based on the  UBC, IBC, etc.

>From what I have read so far:
-  crank-ups require maintenance 
 
        True. 
 
>    and replacement of the cable.
 
        Probably not true. The  vast majority of crank-ups never need cable 
replacement. 
 
>      - I might want a fold over 
 
        There are a limited  number of them. 

>    - best NOT to climb a crank up unless it is  fully collapsed
 
        And safetied with some  2x4's or pipes thru the braces under each 
bottom section. 

>    - I might have to bring it down in stormy  weather (Illinois, 
McHenry  County)


McHenry County is an 80  MPH windspeed zone so any antenna structure you put 
up will have to meet that  rating extended. 

>  I am new to towers so I will hang out on this list and  read the archives
any other suggestions of where to look for information so  that I can be
best prepared when I have the money?  
 
    Good ideas. I'll guarantee you'll learn LOTS  about tower and HF antenna 
construction projects. And true north. And which  kind of owl works best on 
your tower. You know, vital stuff like that. 
 
>  I would also like to know if it is
a good idea to hire a  contractor or get a bunch of Ham buddies that have
installed towers to come  do the job.  
 
    Umm, it's hard to screw up an amateur radio tower  but it's been done. If 
you don't know - ASK! That's why we're here; to help  keep people out of 
trouble when it comes to tower projects. 
 
    OTOH paying a professional to do it is one way to  get it done right the 
first time. You can participate as little or as much as  you want with someone 
else worrying about ALL the details. For many folks a  good investment. 
 
>  Incidentally I also have a walk
out basement so it is going  to be hard to get the concrete and the tower
to the back yard.
 

Nope. That's what a concrete line pump is  for. They're not that expensive 
unless you've got your heart set on running  all the loads back by wheelbarrow - 
hi.

 
Cheers & GL,
Steve      K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams 
and
_www.championradio.com_ (http://www.championradio.com)  - Useful  tower stuff
Cell: 206-890-4188

 



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