[TowerTalk] Utility Pole as Beam Support

Thu Jun 5 08:51:10 EDT 2014

Clay,

Reference the building dept issue you might want to start by looking up your 
local ordinances that deal with building regulation and see what language 
they use. Some years back the municipality I worked for in Ohio got a hair 
about a tower I had that had been in the ground for a number of years. They 
attempted to call it an accessory structure and a number of other things. 
Bottom line is they had no language that pertained to towers to begin with 
and had never heard of PRB-1. They then settled for me paying for a permit 
after the fact. This created another issue as they had no language in their 
fee schedule for towers. This was also resolved. They then tried the same 
thing on another ham. My point is just because they tell you something it 
may pay to double check what they are saying and make sure their ordinances 
are in line with what they tell you. They basically had no idea what they 
were talking about but because they had gotten a complaint from some nut 
case they felt obligated to do something-even if it was wrong..Gl es 73,

Steve, WD8NPL

-----Original Message----- 
From: Clay Jackson
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 12:59 AM
To: TowerTalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Utility Pole as Beam Support

Thanks to all who replied - tried looking for a  BSP on wood poles and
couldn't find the correct index.   Any assistance there would be
appreciated.

I'm going to look into some sort of tilt-up "attached pole"; but, failing
that, will just do a rotor/mount and then spend the $$ renting a bucket
truck when I need to do maintenance (tree service will rent me one with an
operator for $75/hour).   Main concern on the attached pole would be the
load on the pulley/cable in a wind storm.

Another big consideration will be permitting - need to call the building
dept tomorrow.  I know amateur antennas below 61' are exempt from zoning in
my county, Benton, WA; but don't know about the BUILDING Dept.   When I did
my HyGain AV18HT (24' tower with a 24' mast); the Building Dept made me get
a Washington PE licensed in THIS County to do a full-on engineered base
plan, with a wet-stamp; cost well more than the antenna.

Any suggestions on the "correct question" would also be appreciated - is it
a "private utility plole" or an "antenna pole" or ??.  We're having a big
addition (that required a permit and multiple inspections) and I don't want
to just put it up while there will be inspectors on-site.

73!

Clay
N7QNM

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim W7RY [mailto:w7ry at centurytel.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 7:31 PM
To: n7qnm-lists at nwlink.com; TowerTalk at contesting.com; n0tt1 at juno.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Utility Pole as Beam Support

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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