[TowerTalk] Utility Pole as Beam Support

Wed Jun 4 01:05:15 EDT 2014

On 6/4/2014 12:01 AM, Mickey Baker wrote:
> A pole like this is a great find.
>
> A pole set crew with an auger can plant your pole properly in short order.
> Digging a hole deep enough to plant it safely is a big job. Think about
> hiring a local pole setter. It probably won't be as big a cost as you
> think, if they can get the truck to the pole's location. If you plan
> properly, they may be able to help you get your initial antenna installed
> at the top of the pole. You're likely going to need a crane for the initial
> installation.
>
> The next step (pun intended) will be to create a way for you to reach the
> top of the pole, unless you intend to hire a bucket truck every time you
> want to work on your antenna.
>
> The technique is called a "pole step" - the steps near ground level are
> typically done with a mounting plate and lag screw so that you can remove
> the step, and those higher are simple lag bolts with a step built in - you
> drill a pilot hole in the pole and turn them in.

We use steps like #506125
<http://www.arrisistore.com/product.php?pid=002971>Cheap and relatively 
easy to install "BEFORE" the pole goes up. Don't forget to allow for how 
much pole will be in the ground.

Instead of the detachable steps, which seems like extra work, we just 
used a ladder to get to the first ones.

You can't consider yourself a pole climber unless you know what "hugging 
a pole" means and it has nothing to do with country of origin <:-))

I much prefer towers to poles, but it's hard to argue when they are 
free.  If you can, get the pole thoroughly "treated". well ahead of 
installation. They generally get very expensive as the height increases.

73

Roger (K8RI)

>
> There are BSP's that set forth spacing and arrangement... but just make
> sure you and your friends can reach each next step, and that you have a
> level place to stand where you're going to be working at height.
>
> Be safe. Be conservative when loading antennas, poles can loosen with
> sudden torque loads and actually turn, but you should be fine with most
> tri-band HF beams.
>
> Step hardware:
> http://www.arrisistore.com/subcat.php?cat=ACK
>
> 73,
>
> Mickey N4MB
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 3, 2014 at 10:35 PM, <n0tt1 at juno.com> wrote:
>
>> BSP's...RIGHT!  "My bad" as the kids say these days.  :D)
>>
>> On Tue, 3 Jun 2014 19:30:54 -0700 "Jim W7RY" <w7ry at centurytel.net>
>> writes:
>>> BTW, there are Bell System Practices (call BPS's)
>>>
>>> BSPs And they are on Google.
>>>
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Jim W7RY
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: n0tt1 at juno.com
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 7:01 PM
>>> To: n7qnm-lists at nwlink.com ; TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Utility Pole as Beam Support
>>>
>>> Lucky you to get such a pole for free!!!  :D)
>>>
>>> Use NO concrete!  The pole will shrink a little over time
>>> and there will be a crack to let water in and stay there,
>>> accelerating the rotting of your pole!  Concrete will also
>>> prevent you from making below ground periodic inspections
>>> per the reference suggested below.
>>>
>>> Backfill with dirt or use some fine-graded sand that you "water in"
>>> to fill all the voids.
>>>
>>> BTW, there are Bell System Practices (call BPS's) that *may*
>>> be posted on the web that describes the proper install, loading,
>>> etc
>>> of wood poles.  Google.  If not, maybe a dedicated Telco ham
>>> just might have a copy in his personal library!
>>>
>>> I'd be tempted to rig the beam and mast with a "tilt-over" feature
>>> using a small winch to make it a no-climb antenna structure.  A
>>> "cradle" would prevent side-to-side movement at the top.
>>>
>>> Now back to my workbench.  :D)
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Charlie, N0TT
>>>
>>> On Tue, 3 Jun 2014 15:15:05 -0700 "Clay Jackson"
>>> <n7qnm-lists at nwlink.com>
>>> writes:
>>>> I just "inherited" a 50' (out of the ground, 6' buried) utility
>>> pole
>>>> (crew
>>>> was taking it out and told me that if I'd drag it off the road, I
>>>> could have
>>>> it).
>>>>
>>>> I'm thinking about trying to find a rotator and tri-bander to put
>>> on
>>>> top of
>>>> it; but, having no experience with such a setup; I thought I'd
>>> seek
>>>> some
>>>> advice first.
>>>>
>>>> So, a few questions.
>>>>
>>>> I'm sure someone has done this before;  would you be able to share
>>>> your
>>>> experiences?
>>>>
>>>> I have a friend who can weld anything from steel to aluminum and so
>>>> I think
>>>> we can fab up a mount for the rotor.
>>>>
>>>> Beyond that, thoughts would be appreciated on things like:
>>>> Wind loading - how many sq ft (if any) is reasonable before I have
>>>> to use
>>>> guys (for my HyGain AV18HT the building dept made me engineer the
>>>> base for
>>>> 90K winds, WITH a "wet stamped" drawing)?
>>>> Base - is a 6' hole filled with dirt "good enough" or do I need
>>>> something
>>>> more (if more, would a  6' hole with concrete be sufficient)?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance!
>>>>
>>>> Clay
>>>> N7QNM
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
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