[TowerTalk] Homebrew tower...

[Don W7WLL]

The effects of salt water corrosion on low grade steels and aluminums is 
indicated in this coast OR county as effective up to 5-10 miles, with a lot 
variances in the mix. I'm 450 M back and up on a 70 foot hill overlooking 
the ocean and with deal with a generally prevailing westerly inflow, I 
quickly sleuthed where the closest stainless steel (the RIGHT SS) and co-res 
aluminum sources were. Even garaging the vehicles only reduces the corrosion 
effect. Some newer homes have small blowers to keep a higher pressure in the 
garage.

No salt is used on roads in this state so the fenders and other part body 
parts don't rust out underneath!!  Also along this part of the coast there 
are no tornados, hurricanes, super cell or unreasonable wind or snow storms, 
lightning (rare and mostly sheet) flooding, mosquitoes or other nasty bugs. 
Then again an average hot day in the summer is in the mid 60's, a cold day 
in the winter the low to mid 40's.

Rule of thumb if it is galvanized steel over here you keep it coated every 
few years with a GOOD cover, cheap compared to the tower cost.

Trade offs, trade offs no matter where you live but we all manage to deal 
with what Mother Nature deals it seems. I just grit my teeth when I read of 
some the experiences of those getting REPEATED tower strikes. THAT is scary.

May all of you who have experienced the terrible storms the last few 
weeks/months done so safely without any significant damage.

Don W7WLL

-----Original Message----- 
From: john at kk9a.com
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 6:27 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Cc: co8dm at frcuba.co.cu
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Homebrew tower...

Water pipe has no specified mechanical properties so I would be concerned
about the strength of the structure.

I have been to a number of islands in the Caribbean and corrosion of towers
and antennas is a big problem. Galvanized towers require regular painting to
protect them from the effects of the salt spray. Cuba is significantly
larger than any place I have visited so perhaps in the center of the island
corrosion may not be bad, but certainly near the sea it will be.  Painting
the tower after welding with either a zinc enriched paint or epoxy will
protect the base metal.  You may have to paint it every year or more often
if you are near the salt water.

John KK9A


To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Homebrew tower...
From: "Douglas Ruz" <co8dm at frcuba.co.cu>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2015 12:45:06 -0400
Hello everybody !!!.

I am WORRY about TWO THINGS:

TOWER STRENGHT: Is strong enought the 3/4 inch water pipe and 5/16 bars for
braces to replicate a Rohn 25G ??

CORROSION: Heat during welding destroy galvanized protection...i can not
galvanized after welding...maybe some cold galvanizing is possible...I am
worry
about corrosion...maybe painting inmediately after soldering minimize
corrosion.

I am listening (READING).

Thanks,

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