[TowerTalk] Very new to this

Wed Jul 3 11:41:00 EDT 2013

Just for what it is worth - in the Florida county where I live, a 
building permit is required to put up a tower. I know that many hams put 
up towers without a building permit but if the
tower falls on your house or your vehicle (or your neighbors), your 
insurance company will deny your claim faster than an ice cube will melt 
in boiling water. For only $300, US
Tower supplied sealed engineering drawings, rated at 135 MPH in the 
nested position, for my 55 ft Crank-up. The sealed drawing specified the 
base and every other aspect of the
tower installation. The US Tower engineer is a pleasure to work with but 
trying to obtain a delivery date is problematic (you're behind the DOD 
in terms of schedule). Hope this add something to the discussion. 73's, 
Dave, K4CTV

PS - Received the building permit withing a few days.

On 7/3/2013 10:54 AM, Larry Loen wrote:
> I agree with N4ZR here.
>
> Find out what is required, especially of the base.  It isn't just something
> to keep the tower from sliding around.  It is the _foundation_ of the whole
> tower.  The house bracket can be thought of as merely an alternative to
> guying at the corresponding height.
>
> The base AND the bracket needs to be engineered by somebody who knows, you
> know, engineering.  That definitely includes how the bracket is attached.
>
> Even a small tower is a potentially serious thing.  Do you really want to
> have it toppled over after having taken a big chunk out of your roof?
> Somebody who knows engineering can help with this.  And, the expense need
> not be all that great.  Maybe 300 to 500 bucks.  Cheap compared to a bad
> outcome.  Might even be needed by the local county zoning board anyway.
>
>
>
> Larry Wo0Z
>
> On Wed, Jul 3, 2013 at 5:48 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr at contesting.com> wrote:
>
>> I can't overstress Dan's first point - do what the manufacturer says.
>>   From the web site: " LPT's need to be either bracketed to house or
>> vehicle, guyed or rigid guy supported."
>>
>> Are you buying this new, or used?  In either case, I would get in touch
>> with the company.  They also say
>>
>> /*"Standard: */12" x 12" base for (4) foundation bolts, 40:1 worm winch
>>
>> /*Options*:/ House brackets, powder coat finish, X-base, T-bar extensions,
>> rigid guys hidden cable, 5th section (2" square), custom-cut section
>> lengths"
>>
>> House brackets for a Rohn 25 tower are a whole different animal - but any
>> house bracket may require reinforcement of the wall to which it is mounted.
>>   I recall an article a few years ago about putting 2X6 braces in an attic
>> to hold the bracket securely
>>
>> There is no illustration for the 1242 or the other taller ones, but the
>> smaller ones make it pretty clear that what they are talking about is
>> guying or bracketing the base section, because the upper sections move up
>> and down.  Still, call and ask them!
>>
>>
>> 73, Pete N4ZR
>> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
>> http://reversebeacon.net,
>> blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
>> For spots, please go to your favorite
>> ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
>>
>> On 7/2/2013 10:51 PM, K0DAN wrote:
>>
>>> It depends on what you buy (follow mfgr specs) however if you are going
>>> to do a house-bracketed tower, see if you can download the Rohn specs for
>>> their Model 25 tower, which, if IRC requires a small pad and allows maybe
>>> 20-30' above the roof bracket, depending on your antenna + wind load. The
>>> Rohn specs may not be the right match for your new tower, but they will
>>> help you understand what is required of you for a qualified installation.
>>> All this assumes your state/local governments won't require you to jump
>>> thru other hoops.
>>>
>>> Later comes grounding, choice of antennas, rotor, feedlines, etc., etc.,
>>> however the Rohn specs are easily obtained and will get you in the ballpark.
>>>
>>> Also, as plugged by others, the "UP THE TOWER" book (
>>> http://www.championradio.com/**UP-THE-TOWER-The-Complete-**
>>> Guide-To-Tower-Construction.1<http://www.championradio.com/UP-THE-TOWER-The-Complete-Guide-To-Tower-Construction.1>)
>>> contains a wealth of information...if this is your first tower, the book
>>> will pay for itself many times over.
>>>
>>> Good luck and 73
>>>
>>> Dan
>>> K0DAN
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- From: PHILIP GRAITCER
>>> Sent: July 02, 2013 21:22
>>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Very new to this
>>>
>>> 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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