[TowerTalk] Relatively large tower base install questions

[Patrick Greenlee]

John, I guess "expensive" or "difficult" are relative.  What I have wanted 
for a long time was an oil derrick but I was never in sync with the 
boom-bust cycle of the oil production industry so that I could get one on 
the cheap. I have a desire for an elevated observation platform and a 
crank-up tower with provisions for easy antenna maint. It is possible to 
separate the two items and attain them separately but I don't think that is 
a superior solution.

I concur that the 40 ft tall tower base is heavy duty but for its capability 
I don't think $285 and some sweat equity is expensive.  I'm just guessing at 
burying 15 ft or so of the crank-up below the bases 40 ft height.  If my 
mechanical engineer approves and we develop a plan that mounts a free 
standing tower at or near the top of the 40 ft base then the $285 buys even 
more functionality and reduces the cost of the crank-up even more.  We 
haven't explored all of the possibilities yet.

When I peruse the Texas Towers catalog prices and compare costs vs 
heights/windloads I think the 40 foot tower base is a bargain so far as 
offsetting the cost for height and wind load of the taller towers required 
sans the platform in question. And of course there is the observation 
platform function.  Just imagine relaxing on a chaise lounge under a canvas 
sun cover sipping a cold beverage and smelling the steaks searing on the 
BBQ.  Oh did I forget to mention the gas grill? and the little dorm room 
size refrigerator? Also the extra 40 ft of elevation gets my line of sight 
up above some brushy obstructions and puts me approximately level with 
another part of my property where the targets are arrayed for our 100, 200, 
300, 500, 1000 yd target range. I think the 40 foot observation deck will 
make a great place from which to control RC models as well.  I'm sure when 
given time and not concentrating on the short term work at hand I will think 
of additional uses for the tower/platform which will give it even more 
versatility and value.

Patrick AF5C


-----Original Message----- 
From: john at kk9a.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 4:34 PM
To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Relatively large tower base install questions

This sounds like a very expensive and heavy platform just to access an
antenna on your crank up tower.