[TowerTalk] Re Plumbing a Tower

[Jim Lux]

You can rent a suitable instrument for a lot less than $500 for a day. 
I haven't rented a theodolite in a bunch of years, but last time I rented an  Sokkia electronic total station it was in the <$100/for the weekend range, including the tripod/rod/prism/etc.  That one did level, range, etc.

Looking online, it looks like a 20/24x level (which won't work because it doesn't have the ability to tilt in elevation, but gets us a feel for pricing) is $10/day.  
Another site (seilerinst.com) quotes a "digital transit" at $40/day, $120/week

Mohave Instrument co in Signal Hill, CA (near Long Beach) rents an Electronic Theodolite, with tripod, for $285/month.


One might be able to use a laser level and binoculars.. the spot will be pretty big at the top of the tower though.

-----Original Message-----
>From: Mark Robinson <markrob at mindspring.com>
>Sent: Jul 28, 2010 1:57 PM
>To: "Roger (K8RI)" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>, towertalk at contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Re  Plumbing a Tower
>
>Yes it is pretty much always windy in the Midwest - well it seemed to be 
>when I was there but there are days here when it is quite still around dawn. 
>Maybe a thicker rope and heavier weight with the weight damped in a bucket 
>of water will do the trick. Got to beat spending $500 plus for a semi-decent 
>transit
>
>
>Mark N1UK
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Roger (K8RI)" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
>To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, 28 July, 2010 3:53 PM
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Re Plumbing a Tower
>
>
>> Even here in Michigan on what seem like calm days the darn things move
>> around. I was never able to use one successfully. I supported and
>> leveled the bottom two sections (3 counting the half section in
>> concrete). Then kept leveling as we went up. I tensioned the guys a
>> little at a time going around the tower. When finished I borrowed a
>> transit  and it was spot on.
>>
>> After nearly 30 years my old tower was beginning to look like a snake.
>> 90 feet of TV tower is not something that builds confidence and
>> particularly when it's no longer straight.
>>
>> 73
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>TowerTalk mailing list
>TowerTalk at contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk