[TowerTalk] telephone poles from the electric co.

[Robert Chudek - K0RC]

This is a timely subject because the utility company is replacing poles about a mile south of my QTH. It appears the old 40 footers are being replaced by 60 footers.

I have been tempted to stop and ask the crew chief if they'd like to deliver a half dozen and install them for me (I've got 25+ acres to play on). They are sawing them off a couple feet above ground. I have seen them cut up into 4 foot lengths and stacked along the ditch too.

The one thing I know is they are extremely heavy. Proper equipment is needed to lift, tilt, and set them into the hole. If you're really interested in this, I would talk to the crew foreman to see if there is any possibility they would set a pole for you during their down time.

And here's a link to everything you ever wanted to know about utility poles: http://www.johnlund.net/uupp/index.html

73 de Bob - KØRC in MN

------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:15:13 -0700
From: "Harold R. Hepner" <ad7qj at air-pipe.com>
Subject: .Re: [TowerTalk] telephone poles from the electric co.
To: Eric <n4hgz at bellsouth.net>, antenna forum
<antenna-discussion at antennex.com>, tower talk
<towertalk at contesting.com>
Message-ID: <20090603050905.D87EE1B6062A at dayton.contesting.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

In some counties/states, utility poles that have been removed form 
service are considered hazardous waste. The poles may have been 
replaced because they are no longer structurally sound.

At 07:16 PM 6/2/2009, Eric wrote:
>Hello,
>
>My casual conversation turned in a great opportunity today.   The
>electric company sent someone out to my property today to survey my 3
>phase job.  I asked him what they did with the old poles they remove and
>upgrade from time to time and he told me that they took them back to the
>company and put them in a pile and did not use them.  After I explained
>to him that I was in amateur radio and had heard other amateurs
>installing them for their stations he told me that I could have one or two.
>
>This brings me to my second  point, What is involved in getting one and
>installing them ?  Is this worth further effort in trying to get one.  I
>would have to transport the pole to my property and install it.  What is
>the best way of transporting a power pole ?  Has anyone tried to install
>one ?  He did tell me that in the old days that they installed them by
>an a frame and a winch to pick it up.  I might even have some trees
>nearby to use for the anchor support.
>
>Is this even worth trying to do it or is it more trouble than it's worth ?
>
>Thank you,
>
>Eric
>
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