[TowerTalk] Raising Towers

[Jim Lux]

On 12/26/13 11:27 AM, Hector Garcia,XE2K wrote:
> This is exactly an example of what is happening in the last months in
> the reflector
> CRITICIZE others post an not a positive output

My comments weren't intended as criticism.. Just as another viewpoint.

>
> I was pointing a few possible problems to show to others what can happen
> or give another possibility
> to do not put in risk life or property  but what was the response?
> supportive?  destructive?

Indeed.. but one aspect that comes up a LOT on TT is the whole thing of 
"code compliance" or "good engineering practice".  Whether it's guying, 
strength of materials, or grounding practices, there's a huge amount of 
room to maneuver, depending on what one's risk acceptance strategy is.

I think that the original topic here was an excellent example of someone 
who has a situation where "if it falls down, nobody will care, other 
than the builder", which is decidedly not the case when the local 
planning department is asking for wet stamped drawings from a PE (or 
maybe it is, and asking for excessive documentation is a way to restrict 
antennas and towers).

I didn't see anything fundamentally "unsafe" in the pictures. Unlike a 
lot of field day pictures you see, there's nobody standing underneath 
the towers being pulled up, so if his manky tow rope does fail, he winds 
up with some bent scrap metal, not a trip to the ER or a call to the 
coroner.

One can be "over-cautious" ( I think that characterizes much of what I 
do at JPL.. we are definitely risk-averse), and the most useful 
discussions on TT are where one finds out where one can do something 
that is "not the optimum".

And a lot we do in ham radio, as a matter of course, is not 
"code-compliant" and that's hopefully done with an appreciation of the 
risks being taken.

I'll bet very few people with wire antennas follow all the electrical 
code requirements (copper clad steel, AWG12, etc), but one hopes that 
they realize the trade they are making: the antenna might come down in a 
strong wind or when a big bird lands on it; and if it does, hopefully 
they've situated it so that it doesn't wrap around the local 14.4kV 
medium voltage feeder.  And if it does, hopefully, they've got a decent 
protective unit bonded to the safety ground system.



>
> If this ham  owns all AZ, not a close neighbor  and his tower fall and
> kill him , his  dog or his wife and safety advice  before  can be good?

I think, based on the pictures, that he does have that appreciation. 
your comments are well taken, but I think have been addressed by the ham 
in question.



>
> I was thinking this reflector was  to HELP others to make good or right
> things, to avoid problems
> or save some time and money and keep them ALIVE  not just  to criticize
> with no positive output
> Criticize is good but giving a better result or to fix others wrong doing
>
> My intention is not to start a war, just share my point and no intention
> to offend others with my words, if for some reason  are crude
> possible is the result the spanish to english translation process in my
> brain
> but I try to share and help and give my opinion with the intention to help.
>
> J.Hector Garcia  XE2K / AD6D
> Mexicali B.C DM22fp */ *El Centro
> P.O.Box 73
> El Centro CA 92244-0073
> http://xe2k.net
> Tweeter @XE2K
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Jim Lux <jimlux at earthlink.net>
> *To:* towertalk at contesting.com
> *Sent:* Thursday, December 26, 2013 10:58 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [TowerTalk] Raising Towers
>
> On 12/26/13 10:41 AM, Hector Garcia,XE2K wrote:
>  > Some very interesting ideas, very ingenious and a lot to avoid
>  > I got scare with his double braid rope as lanyard @200ft tower
>
> Well, if you're raising it in your (big) backyard, and you're aware of
> the risks, then you can use dental floss if you think it will work.
>
>  > not FAA lights on 200ft towers?
> That would be a problem..  Maybe his "200 foot" tower is actually 199
> ft, 6", and exempt.
>
>  > those bungee cords as insulators or for  tension ?
> I'm thinking some sort of shock absorption.
>
>  > the anchor in the wash
>  > no insulators in the guy wires.
>
> if the guy doesn't happen to be "the wrong length", then there's no
> particular reason for insulators (unless you're feeding the tower as the
> radiator)
>
>  > some good things to use  and some ones to avoid  from my point of view
>  > be safe
>  >
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