[TowerTalk] Cost effectivel Tower height

Thu Dec 1 08:58:36 PST 2011

Pretty good information here:

http://radio.n0gw.net/radio12.pdf

Mike, k5wmg

On Thu, Dec 1, 2011 at 10:53 AM, Drax Felton <draxfelton at gmail.com> wrote:
> Isn't the a half wave high tower the general rule of thumb for a decent dx angle?
>
> After 60ft (1/2 wave on 20m) you need more guys with Rohn  25 and the work difficulty starts increasing rapidly.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Dec 1, 2011, at 12:31 AM, towertalk-request at contesting.com wrote:
>
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. Determine cost-effective tower height (Andreas Hofmann)
>>   2. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Jim Lux)
>>   3. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Dick Dievendorff)
>>   4. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Gene Fuller)
>>   5. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Dick Dievendorff)
>>   6. FW:  Determine cost-effective tower height (km5vi)
>>   7. Re: Determine cost-effective tower height (Jim Lux)
>>   8. top loaded vertical radial length (LY2KZ)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:47:46 +0000
>> From: Andreas Hofmann <Andreas.Hofmann at microsoft.com>
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>> To: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Message-ID:
>>    <A9B46A478518064C8E335B938C8768840EBE9F66 at TK5EX14MBXC288.redmond.corp.microsoft.com>
>>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air. Thinking about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my property slopes pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a proper tower height without breaking the bank.
>>
>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that a 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground.   Hence he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the program he used.
>>
>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a tower that would work well here?
>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal roof (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>>
>> Thanks
>> Andreas
>> KU7T
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:59:54 -0800
>> From: Jim Lux <jimlux at earthlink.net>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Message-ID: <4ED6D18A.10405 at earthlink.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>>
>> On 11/30/11 4:47 PM, Andreas Hofmann wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air. Thinking about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my property slopes pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a proper tower height without breaking the bank.
>>>
>>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that a 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground.   Hence he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the program he used.
>>>
>>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a tower that would work well here?
>>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal roof (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Andreas
>>> KU7T
>>>
>>
>> HFTA by Ward Silver which comes with the ARRL Antenna Book is what you
>> want.  You enter in the surrounding terrain (or extract it from DEM
>> files, etc.) and it calculates the pattern.
>>
>> Only works for horizontally polarized antennas, by the way.
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:25:50 -0800
>> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>> To: "'Jim Lux'" <jimlux at earthlink.net>,    <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Message-ID: <001b01ccafc8$29967cf0$7cc376d0$@comcast.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="US-ASCII"
>>
>> I think HFTA is by Dean Straw, N6BV.  In any case, it's the program you want
>> for this.  Ward edited the new Antenna Book, and included Dean's programs.
>>
>> Dick, K6KR
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
>> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:00 PM
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>>
>> On 11/30/11 4:47 PM, Andreas Hofmann wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air.
>> Thinking about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my property
>> slopes pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a
>> proper tower height without breaking the bank.
>>>
>>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the
>> yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of
>> mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that a
>> 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground.   Hence
>> he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the program
>> he used.
>>>
>>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a
>> tower that would work well here?
>>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal
>> roof (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Andreas
>>> KU7T
>>>
>>
>> HFTA by Ward Silver which comes with the ARRL Antenna Book is what you want.
>> You enter in the surrounding terrain (or extract it from DEM files, etc.)
>> and it calculates the pattern.
>>
>> Only works for horizontally polarized antennas, by the way.
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:09:30 -0500
>> From: "Gene Fuller" <w2lu at rochester.rr.com>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>> To: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven at comcast.net>,    "'Jim Lux'"
>>    <jimlux at earthlink.net>, <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Message-ID: <E2520ACDBCEE43858C2FEB22186E5240 at FamilyRoom>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>>    reply-type=original
>>
>> Agreed, HFTA is the way to go. ARRL  Antenna Handbook  ed 21 includes the
>> software and instrustrutions you will need. A little hand held GPS will give
>> you your tower location, and a fair bit of determination for the novice,
>> will give you a great picture of what you have to work with.
>> Gene / W2LU
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven at comcast.net>
>> To: "'Jim Lux'" <jimlux at earthlink.net>; <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 8:25 PM
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>>
>>
>>> I think HFTA is by Dean Straw, N6BV.  In any case, it's the program you
>>> want
>>> for this.  Ward edited the new Antenna Book, and included Dean's programs.
>>>
>>> Dick, K6KR
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
>>> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:00 PM
>>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>>>
>>> On 11/30/11 4:47 PM, Andreas Hofmann wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air.
>>> Thinking about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my
>>> property
>>> slopes pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a
>>> proper tower height without breaking the bank.
>>>>
>>>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the
>>> yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of
>>> mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that
>>> a
>>> 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground.
>>> Hence
>>> he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the
>>> program
>>> he used.
>>>>
>>>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a
>>> tower that would work well here?
>>>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal
>>> roof (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Andreas
>>>> KU7T
>>>>
>>>
>>> HFTA by Ward Silver which comes with the ARRL Antenna Book is what you
>>> want.
>>> You enter in the surrounding terrain (or extract it from DEM files, etc.)
>>> and it calculates the pattern.
>>>
>>> Only works for horizontally polarized antennas, by the way.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:19:50 -0800
>> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>> To: "'Gene Fuller'" <w2lu at rochester.rr.com>,    "'Jim Lux'"
>>    <jimlux at earthlink.net>, <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Message-ID: <001801ccafcf$b4a4c4d0$1dee4e70$@comcast.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Google Earth is another (free) tool that you can use to determine the
>> latitude and longitude of your specific antenna location.
>>
>> Dick
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Gene Fuller [mailto:w2lu at rochester.rr.com]
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 6:10 PM
>> To: Dick Dievendorff; 'Jim Lux'; towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>>
>> Agreed, HFTA is the way to go. ARRL  Antenna Handbook  ed 21 includes the
>> software and instrustrutions you will need. A little hand held GPS will give
>> you your tower location, and a fair bit of determination for the novice,
>> will give you a great picture of what you have to work with.
>> Gene / W2LU
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven at comcast.net>
>> To: "'Jim Lux'" <jimlux at earthlink.net>; <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 8:25 PM
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>>
>>
>>> I think HFTA is by Dean Straw, N6BV.  In any case, it's the program you
>>> want
>>> for this.  Ward edited the new Antenna Book, and included Dean's programs.
>>>
>>> Dick, K6KR
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
>>> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:00 PM
>>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Determine cost-effective tower height
>>>
>>> On 11/30/11 4:47 PM, Andreas Hofmann wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I have decided I need a tower to get better antennas up in the air.
>>> Thinking about the SteppIR DB 18, 40m 2 el, 20 and up 3el.  Now, my
>>> property
>>> slopes pretty much in every direction by 5 degrees.  I need to determine a
>>> proper tower height without breaking the bank.
>>>>
>>>> I was told I should run a computer program to figure a good height of the
>>> yagi for my most important directions/DX locations.  In fact a friend of
>>> mine did the same (on a similarly sloping property) and he found out that
>>> a
>>> 55 foot tower would be similar to a 120 foot tower on a flat ground.
>>> Hence
>>> he put up a 55 foot crank up mast and it is rocking.  He forgot the
>>> program
>>> he used.
>>>>
>>>> So, what tool can I use to find the optimal (not maximal) height of a
>>> tower that would work well here?
>>>> Also, the tower would be setting on the side of the house with a metal
>>> roof (roof about 15 feet high), not sure if this would matter...
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Andreas
>>>> KU7T
>>>>
>>>
>>> HFTA by Ward Silver which comes with the ARRL Antenna Book is what you
>>> want.
>>> You enter in the surrounding terrain (or extract it from DEM files, etc.)
>>> and it calculates the pattern.
>>>
>>> Only works for horizontally polarized antennas, by the way.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ___________
>>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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