[TowerTalk] DC for winchwes

[Patrick Greenlee]

Diligence is a good thing but weather forecasts don't always play out as 
predicted.  As I previously described, I had myself and 3 others converge on 
an older hams QTH for a "Tower Raising" but...   Although the weather 
forecast that was less than 2 hours old said 0% chance of precipitation till 
afternoon nevertheless a thunderstorm with terrific lightning display 
(closest strike was a few hundred yds away and was quite spectacular) ran us 
off the job about 10:00 AM.

It is these unpredicted storms that  put holes in your due diligence 
approach and tend to motivate the risk adverse among us to leave the tower 
down when not in use or at least when we aren't around to lower it if 
conditions warrant.

Note that I am in the heart of tornado alley in south central Oklahoma so my 
"take" on "sneaky weather" may be different from yours. The NOAA severe 
weather scientists in Norman, Oklahoma put out these stats:  The odds of any 
given residential structure receiving significant tornado damage in this 
area is on the order of once per 4,000 years. Careful folks consider proper 
preparation prudent since this may be your year!  In my neighborhood you can 
cross the street without looking either way and probably survive for years 
but it isn't prudent.

The odds are in your favor to ignore tornado safety but it isn't prudent. 
Ditto following forecasts for tower exposure.  I think of the fellow who 
when falling from the 40th floor was heard to exclaim as he passed the 20th 
floor, "so far so good!" Do you wear your seat belt all the time or just 
when you think an accident is likely?

What are the risks and cost potentials of lowering a tower when  not in use 
or not "watched?"  What are the risks and costs of leaving it up?  If you 
weigh the odds vs costs and would rather risk the tower crashing down than 
lowering it then that is your choice and I am happy with your decision 
because I am not in the "kill" zone if there is a failure.

Patrick  AF5CK






-----Original Message----- 
From: Andre VanWyk
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 7:25 AM
To: Jim Rhodes
Cc: Kenneth Waites ; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] DC for winchwes

Good point Jim.
I keep my eye on the weatherman and if bad stuff is about to set in, I crank 
my towers down BEFORE the bad stuff gets here or the power goes down.
NJ0F

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 1, 2013, at 1:26 AM, Jim Rhodes <jimk0xu at gmail.com> wrote:

> I went with the DC and trickle charger too. Inside with big wire going to
> tower (it is less than 10ft from the house). My reason for doing it this
> way instead of AC is that I can lower my tower AFTER the power goes off.
>
> Jim K0XU Sent from my Xoom tablet
> On Mar 31, 2013 2:14 PM, "Andre VanWyk" <kr5dx at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Been there done that, and my experience was nothing but a pain. Do it
>> right and go AC.
>>
>> The price of a DC hoist will get you close a AC model.
>>
>> 73
>> NJ0F
>>
>> ------------------------------**--------------------
>> From: "Kenneth Waites" <barbiekenw at yahoo.com>
>> Sent: Friday, March 29, 2013 8:29 PM
>> To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] DC for winchwes
>>
>> For those who use 12v DC electric winches or hoists to lift the tower, I
>>> am curious as to power sources used.
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