[TowerTalk] Can you TRAM this ?

[Grant Saviers]

My 40m went up in a similar way.

The pro antenna crew (Paul's crew @ Custom Metal Works) trammed 350# 48 
ft boom 3L 40m to 140' on a Rohn 65, back guyed with EHS the 3" alloy 
mast at 155ft as the tram line tower end.  Ground end was to a Kubota 
B3200 tractor (3k#?) to tension the 7x19 tram cable, I don't remember 
size.  Double pulley on the tram to spread the load, capstan at tower 
base with 5/8 line.  Antenna start point about 130ft from tower base. 
Max back position of Kubota about 230ft.  Several come-a-longs and two 
men to jockey the antenna into the ring rotator mount.  This was the 
last of 7 beams trammed onto this tower this way (tram line was lower 
for others).  A movable tram anchor was very helpful.

So it is doable.  However, the 80m 2L 350# above it at 157ft went there 
with a crane.  Steps bolted on the mast. MUCH easier & safer.  Worth 
every shilling if you can make it work.

I see you are doing the arithmetic, don't forget the further back the 
tram position, the higher the lateral tower load and the more the 
catenary sag.  With the capstan I'd guess pull is not a limit.

I'd had more than 15' of top guy clearance.  I think less clearance is 
the biggest problem for you unless the tram cable can go higher on a mast.

Grant KZ1W



On 9/14/2019 7:02 AM, Charles Morrison wrote:
> Will this work using a TRAM system and not a crane ?
> 
> Antenna to raise:  310 lbs x 48ft boom to be installed at 123'
> Tower:           132' 55G (130MPH guying) with starguy at 122'
> Tram wire:    1/4" EHS
> Pulley on tram wire
> Tram anchor point: at ground level @ 300ft away from target tower.
> Slope:    0.41
> Antenna launch point 135 feet away from target tower. (h=0) (165 ft from
> Tram anchor point)
> Attach 1/2" rope to TRAM WIRE PULLEY - up to pulley @ 130ft - then down to
> electric rope capstan.
> Begin tightening tram wire to slope thereby raising antenna located 165 ft
> from target tower off the ground.
> 
> Then begin tramming antenna with electric rope capstan.
> 
> What weight/mass do I need at the tram anchor point ?
> Tree ?
> Vehicle ?
> Deadman anchor in ground ?
> 
> Antenna launch point can not be moved. Lot is too narrow and theres another
> tower nearby.
> 
> As an alternative, I may a usable tram anchor point 400+ feet away. - I'm
> going out to look ant how that lines up now ....
> 
> -Charlie N1RR
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