[TowerTalk] Tower Build

[Bryan Swadener]

I'll throw my comments in here. A few years ago, I erected my first tower, a used US Tower TX472 that came to me in GREAT shape. I installed a Force12 C-4XL 40/20/15/10m yagi on top. It has 9 elements on a 30 foot 5-section boom. At first, after tilting the tower over, I accessed the yagi with the use of a 12' step ladder. Access to the 10m λ/2 vertical on top of the mast above the yagi was impossible.
Then, it struck me that I could easily partially disassemble the yagi by removing 1/4" bolts that secure the sections of boom + element(s), and then continue to tilt the tower down. Removing two sections of boom + elements allows me to tilt the tower to COMPLETELY horizontal. I now do all antenna work with both feet on the ground. No crane needed. To keep the yagi from pinwheeling, I use a simple clamp assembly to hold the mast when the yagi is partially disassembled.
I also recommend the books mentioned by Steve K7LXC. His "Up The Tower" book answered all my questions, and some I didn't know I had. The main thing I got from the book was to try to do it according to zoning and permitting requirements. I did. His collaboration with Ward Silver NØAX on "HF Tribander Performance - Test Methods & Results" was a good read as well. When the C-4XL came available, I jumped on it.
vy 73 es gl,Bryan WA7PRChttp://www.tinyurl.com/wa7prc-tower


 
    Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2015 21:25:10 -0400
From: Mike Reublin NF4L
To: towertalk reflector
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Build

A guyed tower is nice if you climb, or have cheap easy access to a climber and/or crane. As we age, and climbers become a real rarity,  a crank-up tilt-over becomes a much better choice. Antennas, rotors and coax WILL need attention at some time.
73, Mike NF4L