[TowerTalk] Homebrew Crank-up

[David Thompson]

The two articles on building your own I remember
were as follows:

1.    W5OSL in Jackson, MS had an article in a 1970 QST on building a 70 
footer.  I saw it in person with a 3 el tri-bander on top in either 1971 or 
2.  It looked good.  The ham told me he had professional help.  If an ARRL 
member you can search the QST archives for the exact article.

2.    Bob Brown of the "brown bomber" amplifier fame build a big bertha in 
either 73 or Ham Radio in the early 1970's. He said you needed to be a good 
welder.  I recall he spent over $1,500 just on the metal and that cost would 
be at least 10 times that amount today.  An ARRL member can search the Ham 
radio archives to see if the article was in fact in Ham radio.

It can be done but add up the expenses first.  I am betting you can find a 
50 to 70 foot used tower just as easy.  I find that towers in rural areas do 
not sell well due to the expense of picking them up.  One 70 footer in East 
TN sold for less than $500 after the pick up expense.

Dave K4JRB