[TowerTalk] Very new to this

[Jim Lux]

On 7/3/13 6:48 AM, Dino Darling wrote:
> Call Force-12 back and ask them to have the tower anodized BEFORE
> assembly! If they won't do it, take it COMPLETELY apart and have it
> anodized locally! The salt will destroy that tower in no time. You can
> pick your color, or have it clear anodized. I recommend a haze gray/sky
> blue color.


What you actually want isn't necessarily anodizing, but one of a class 
of "chemical conversion" coatings.
You might want to pick one that is electrically conductive, if you ever 
want to use the tower as an antenna.


>
> Some will argue that the aluminum is already anodized from the mill,
> which is true to an extent.

None of the aluminum I've ever bought came with any sort of surface 
coating. Sure, it has the aluminum oxide on it that all aluminum has, 
but that's it.

  However, its not the same as having it done
> right!
>
> As for mounting it to the house. A simple concrete pad is all that is
> needed for that tower and ANY antenna that it is rated for (12"x12"x4"
> deep). Use anchors to secure the base to the pad. If you are going to
> pour a pad, you could install anchor rods like the big towers. Do NOT
> let the anchor rods protrude all the way through the concrete!

he means through the *bottom* of the concrete.  You don't want 
"bolt/concrete" joins below ground level.  Obviously, you need the bolts 
to stick up from the top, in order to bolt the antenna to them.

A 4" deep 1 foot square pad isn't very big.  That's like buying a big 
stepping stone and putting it down.  Maybe two sacks of redimix 
concrete? I assume that's just to keep the bottom of the mast from 
driving down into the ground under the weight, and to keep it from 
skidding sideways?


  Decide
> how you want to have it secured to the house and make the appropriate
> brackets. Since it is a low profile tower, think about making it a
> tilt-over for easier antenna maintenance there at your salt marsh.


How much does this thing weigh? Have you got room to lay it out flat on 
the ground, and then tilt it up into place?

>
> You should really bring in someone who knows what they are doing.
>
> Dino - KX6D
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Very new to this
> From: PHILIP GRAITCER <pgraitc at me.com>
> Date: Tue, July 02, 2013 7:22 pm
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>
> After 55 years in amateur radio, I am about to get my first tower, a
> Force 12 LPT42. I live on a salt marsh, directly facing the ocean, hence
> the need for a low profile.
>
> But once the tower comes, I have no idea how to get it up. I am planning
> to pour a pad and strap it to the house.
>
> But can this collective braintrust point me to a how to manual, or even
> someone in the South Georgia area who can guide me?
>
> Thanks,
> Phil, W3HZZ
>
>
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