[TowerTalk] Relatively large tower base install questions

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Just make sure you liability and home insurance are both adequate to the 
risks you will incur. "$285 and some sweat equity" is a delusional 
underestimate, but there clearly is no deterring you.

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 3/6/2013 11:50 AM, Patrick Greenlee wrote:
> 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.
>
>
>
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