[TowerTalk] "Roll your own" tower/mast.

[veblencf]

John, One more website for you to look at. This is W7KOL's
Ranch in Western Washington USA. He even show how he tunes a
barb wire line to broadcast on. Something one of my Elmers
had said he had done but didn't do now. It is in a high spot
in St. John, Washington near the Idaho border.

Look up QRZ site for W7KOL...then SCROLL DOWN AND GO TO WEB
SITE. The irragation pipe tower is one that I have
considered, just have not tried yet. Chris, kf7cob.

> I thank everyone who took the time to consider my request
> and provided useful information. I have used "Alumast"
> sections in the past, whilst working in Sweden, where they
> were manufactured, however, they do not come cheap, a bit
> like Volvo's I suppose, especially when you consider the
> "middle man" importer involvement. Although I do have a
> mechanical engineering background, I spent all my working
> life in electronic engineering, because the working
> conditions and pay were better! However, I take the point
> raised about the various structural and manufacturing
> stresses which are involved, and the need for professional
> engineering advice and the reference to a computer program
> is very helpful. 
> 
>  
> 
> With regard to a wooden structure, at the beginning of
> WWII, the early radar experiments carried out, and
> subsequently used to provide early warning of the enemy
> fighters/bombers approaching the UK from mainland Europe
> had the antenna systems held aloft on groups of wooden
> towers, from memory, I think that they were 200 ft plus,
> in fact, several are still in place overlooking the
> English Channel, and probably visible using Google Earth.
> The radar site, near Dover, is now a museum dedicated to
> that work. I do not think that local authority planners
> these days, would be very keen on the idea of using wood
> for such a tall structure, probably because we are not now
> "under attack" and we have a "health and safety" regime in
> place, and I am sure that it would be considered an
> intrusion into my neighbours "visual amenity" even though
> the proposed location of my masts is about a quarter of a
> mile from the neighbours!
> 
>  
> 
> Whilst serving in the RAF, the signals branch, and
> stationed in Germany during the early 1950's, I recall
> using 90 foot tubular masts to support wire antenna
> systems.  Each mast consisted of three 30 ft cigar shaped
> sections, which were about six inches or more, in diameter
> at the centre, each section had a flanges at the ends, for
> guy attachment and also so that sections could be bolted
> together on the ground, then the four sets of
> guys/anchorages would be attached, laid out and prepared.
> The sections were quite lightweight; one mast section
> could be carried around by two 19 year olds! The mast
> sections were painted military dark grey/green, I assumed
> that they must have been of USA manufacture, probably
> shipped to the UK for the "D day" event of WWII, but there
> were no manufacturer plates visible, but they could have
> fallen off during extended use. The completed mast would
> then be raised by using a "gin pole" method, with the gin
> pole set vertically and attached at right angles to the
> base of the mast as it lay on the ground, the gin pole
> would then pivot to the horizontal, with the mast, as the
> mast rose up to the vertical. The gin pole had a complete
> set of "taught" guys attached to the top, which also took
> the weight of the mast as it was raised. The "9 oclock and
> 3 oclock" sets of guys would be laid out and pulled
> "taught" whilst the mast lay on the ground, which left the
> 12 oclock set of guys (back guys) to be finally adjusted
> as the mast came up to the vertical . The top of the "gin
> pole" was brought down to ground level (6 oclock") by
> means of a vehicle mounted winch and guy anchorage pulley
> system, and secured to the ground. 
> 
>  
> 
> The erection of the mast took a team of six men about an
> hour at most, two stationed at some distance from the mast
> , (3 oclock/12 oclock positions) with plum lines set on
> small "gallows" to visually align the mast with their
> weighted vertical bit of string, if things were getting
> out of hand, these men had warning whistles! One man
> controlled the vehicle winch, whilst the others had to
> rush around adjusting the three sets of guys, especially
> the "back" guys as the mast went up, all great fun, when
> you were around 19 years of age, and there was about three
> feet of snow on the ground. During my involvement, we only
> "dropped" one mast, from about 45 degrees during the
> course of erection! But, if I could find a source, then
> two of these units would certainly solve my present
> problem.
> 
>  
> 
> I appreciate your help and comments, and continue with my
> quest, spreading the word of my needs, but I think that
> any metal structure being scrapped today, will be
> earmarked by the bean counters for maximum return, and the
> scrap man wins, but I live in hope. Thank you all once
> again, sincerely, John. G3JVC.  
> 
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