[TowerTalk] Very new to this

Wed Jul 3 15:00:28 EDT 2013

I agree - you really need a lot more info.  For the huge amount of 
dollars asked for a 42-foot one of these, I'd at least want to know how 
many square feet of antenna it could take.  I couldn't find this info on 
the F12 web site.  Also, these things do not appear to be available over 
100 MPH rating, which may be far from enough on a hurricane coast.  
Frankly, the whole thing makes me queasy - F12 is not known as a maker 
of towers, and the company has changed hasnds since these towers were 
introduced.  It would be excruciating to pay that much and find out that 
you had nothing but a telescoping flagpole.

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 7/3/2013 1:23 PM, Dino Darling wrote:
> Overkill! Are you guys even familiar with this small, light weight,
> portable, aluminum "crank up tower"?!
>
> If I was going to set up a portable unit, I'd get ne of these...maybe.
> How thick do you guys think your average walkway on the side of your
> house is...or a sidewalk...or a driveway?
>
> Maybe because I've actually installed similar light weight towers, I see
> things different.
>
> Dino - KX6D
>   
>   
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Very new to this
> From: Larry Loen <lwloen at gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, July 03, 2013 7:54 am
> To: Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr at contesting.com>
> Cc: towertalk at contesting.com
>
> 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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