[TowerTalk] Need help buying first tower
Richard Bell
richfbell at sbcglobal.net
Sun Apr 11 15:14:24 EDT 2021
Not to rain on the parade but did they give you a budget or at least some guidance on money you can request/spend?
Best know what your financial parameters before you get started?
W5BXE
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 09:15:26 -0700
> From: Ross Tucker <rjtucke at gmail.com>
> To: "TowerTalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Need help buying first tower
> Message-ID:
> <CABzhooEhwvZjvV3dWsBFKaJBpdfAk5Le2P9zR+=EwD-KBFatrA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> Hello all!
>
> I have been offered a position at my high school to teach ham radio as a
> class. The administration also said that they would be willing to have a
> tower installed! The one problem is that I have zero experience with real
> towers. I was wondering if one or more of you might be willing to
> correspond with me to walk me through the whole process.
>
> To be honest, I don't even know what I need. The absolute #1 constraint is
> that it must be over-engineered for safety - if anything falls and damages
> school property during monsoon season, I will be extremely fired. XD
> Low-maintenance is also important, as I'm a busy teacher with a small child
> at home. Height needs to be at least 20 or 30' to get above the nearby
> buildings. Self-supporting (no guy wires) is also necessary. As for
> antennas, since the station will only be operated during school hours, I
> was thinking of just a mono-band 20 m beam for HF and a 2m/70cm vertical
> for local repeaters. Finally, in the future, I'd like to install a
> satellite array on a shorter mast, nearby.
>
> Would anybody be willing to mentor me through this process?
>
> Thank you for your time-
> Ross Tucker, PhD, NS7F
> Arizona State University / Herberger Young Scholars Academy
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 16:22:34 +0000
> From: john nistico <electric911inc at hotmail.com>
> To: Ross Tucker <rjtucke at gmail.com>, "TowerTalk at contesting.com"
> <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need help buying first tower
> Message-ID:
> <BL0PR05MB557005B262060A14FBA1152E91719 at BL0PR05MB5570.namprd05.prod.outlook.com>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
>
> I?d go with a 40 foot crank up tower in that position.
>
> Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
> ________________________________
> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Ross Tucker <rjtucke at gmail.com>
> Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 12:15:26 PM
> To: TowerTalk at contesting.com <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Need help buying first tower
>
> Hello all!
>
> I have been offered a position at my high school to teach ham radio as a
> class. The administration also said that they would be willing to have a
> tower installed! The one problem is that I have zero experience with real
> towers. I was wondering if one or more of you might be willing to
> correspond with me to walk me through the whole process.
>
> To be honest, I don't even know what I need. The absolute #1 constraint is
> that it must be over-engineered for safety - if anything falls and damages
> school property during monsoon season, I will be extremely fired. XD
> Low-maintenance is also important, as I'm a busy teacher with a small child
> at home. Height needs to be at least 20 or 30' to get above the nearby
> buildings. Self-supporting (no guy wires) is also necessary. As for
> antennas, since the station will only be operated during school hours, I
> was thinking of just a mono-band 20 m beam for HF and a 2m/70cm vertical
> for local repeaters. Finally, in the future, I'd like to install a
> satellite array on a shorter mast, nearby.
>
> Would anybody be willing to mentor me through this process?
>
> Thank you for your time-
> Ross Tucker, PhD, NS7F
> Arizona State University / Herberger Young Scholars Academy
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 09:42:18 -0700
> From: "Steve Jones" <n6sj at earthlink.net>
> To: "'Ross Tucker'" <rjtucke at gmail.com>, <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need help buying first tower
> Message-ID: <000201d72ef1$a38a39e0$ea9eada0$@earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Ross,
> Look into US Tower's MA-40 crank-up tubular mast with a small SteppIR yagi
> on top. Crank the mast down when the wind blows. Also, it tilts over, so
> you can do all antenna work standing on the ground.
> 73,
> Steve
> N6SJ
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Ross Tucker
> Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 9:15 AM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Need help buying first tower
>
> Hello all!
>
> I have been offered a position at my high school to teach ham radio as a
> class. The administration also said that they would be willing to have a
> tower installed! The one problem is that I have zero experience with real
> towers. I was wondering if one or more of you might be willing to correspond
> with me to walk me through the whole process.
>
> To be honest, I don't even know what I need. The absolute #1 constraint is
> that it must be over-engineered for safety - if anything falls and damages
> school property during monsoon season, I will be extremely fired. XD
> Low-maintenance is also important, as I'm a busy teacher with a small child
> at home. Height needs to be at least 20 or 30' to get above the nearby
> buildings. Self-supporting (no guy wires) is also necessary. As for
> antennas, since the station will only be operated during school hours, I was
> thinking of just a mono-band 20 m beam for HF and a 2m/70cm vertical for
> local repeaters. Finally, in the future, I'd like to install a satellite
> array on a shorter mast, nearby.
>
> Would anybody be willing to mentor me through this process?
>
> Thank you for your time-
> Ross Tucker, PhD, NS7F
> Arizona State University / Herberger Young Scholars Academy
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 12:15:41 -0500
> From: "chuck.gooden" <chuck.gooden at comcast.net>
> To: john nistico <electric911inc at hotmail.com>, Ross Tucker
> <rjtucke at gmail.com>, "TowerTalk at contesting.com"
> <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need help buying first tower
> Message-ID: <eebf66$82ib at vesa03.kjsl.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Ask if the school has any lifts.? My high school did for painting and adjusting lights on the stage.? Knowing if the do and the height and lift capacity my help in determine how high.On the other hand, you may be able to put a tower on the roof too.? They may even pay for a commercial install.Chuck K9LC
> -------- Original message --------From: john nistico <electric911inc at hotmail.com> Date: 4/11/21 11:22 AM (GMT-06:00) To: Ross Tucker <rjtucke at gmail.com>, "TowerTalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need help buying first tower I?d go with a 40 foot crank up tower in that position.Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>________________________________From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Ross Tucker <rjtucke at gmail.com>Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 12:15:26 PMTo: TowerTalk at contesting.com <towertalk at contesting.com>Subject: [TowerTalk] Need help buying first towerHello all!I have been offered a position at my high school to teach ham radio as aclass. The administration also said that they would be willing to have atower installed! The one problem is that I have zero experience with realtowers. I was wondering if one or more of you might be willing tocorrespond with me to walk me through the whole process.To be honest, I don
> 't even know what I need. The absolute #1 constraint isthat it must be over-engineered for safety - if anything falls and damagesschool property during monsoon season, I will be extremely fired. XDLow-maintenance is also important, as I'm a busy teacher with a small childat home. Height needs to be at least 20 or 30' to get above the nearbybuildings. Self-supporting (no guy wires) is also necessary. As forantennas, since the station will only be operated during school hours, Iwas thinking of just a mono-band 20 m beam for HF and a 2m/70cm verticalfor local repeaters. Finally, in the future, I'd like to install asatellite array on a shorter mast, nearby.Would anybody be willing to mentor me through this process?Thank you for your time-Ross Tucker, PhD, NS7FArizona State University / Herberger Young Scholars Academy______________________________________________________________________________________________TowerTalk mailing listTowerTalk at contesting.comhttp://lists.contesting.com/mail
> man/listinfo/towertalk______________________________________________________________________________________________TowerTalk mailing listTowerTalk at contesting.comhttp://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 17:30:01 +0000 (UTC)
> From: Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj at yahoo.com>
> To: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need advice climbing small tower
> Message-ID: <1555257942.446004.1618162201612 at mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Thanks guys,
>
> Here are the hi-res photos from the last time I did the job. Not enough room to work at the top is the problem. The tower will lay down toward the gate but not with the hexbeam on top. I would consider a lift, a ladder, or possibly welding a better crank up tower or crank up mast to the existing base. I just cant seem to shimmy up there to work on the antenna as in 2010 (these photos).?
>
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_AdhP0Ri5D51y6P-FAPXPTSyblW8_7M_/view
>
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aHXssn0pBT7dZMBsYn4wVCLpts75cuJ8/view
>
>
> de Wb8yqj Don?
> Carlsbad, Ca. USA?
>
> An extension ladder would be the choice I would make. A 24 foot extension
> ladder would allow you to reach something 21 feet high.
> What is on the tower? Can it be laid over? Is it next to a building where a
> rope could go over the roof to ease it down?
>
> Chuck W5PR
>
>> On Sun, Apr 11, 2021 at 1:15 AM W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:
>> Climbing belts are out. Full body harnesses are what we should be using
>> today.??If you are not comfortable the stay off and hire a professional
>> or find some help.??They do make pretty small lifts these days
>> especially for that height.
>> Be safe!
>> W0MU
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Saturday, April 10, 2021, 08:04:06 PM PDT, Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have a 20 foot aluminum self standing tower with a 15 foot steel mast inside.?
>
> The spacing is so narrow at the top half of the tower I just can seem to get
> situated to work. My feet press together in the tower and with my eyes
> at the 20 foot level the tower comes to a point so no lateral stability above the waist.?
>
> Ten years ago it was easy - it seems.?
>
> I have a climbing belt but am considering a ladder this time or any other
> trick short of an exterior lift since it wont fit in the gate.?
>
> Any suggestions welcome!
>
> de Wb8yqj Don
> http://wb8yqj.yolasite.com/antennas.php
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 17:43:59 +0000
> From: Wayne Kline <w3ea at hotmail.com>
> To: Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj at yahoo.com>, "towertalk at contesting.com"
> <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need advice climbing small tower
> Message-ID:
> <MN2PR01MB5918CDD54A446E5290AA0C118F719 at MN2PR01MB5918.prod.exchangelabs.com>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Don,
>
> I agree with Chuck an extension ladder extended then lashed to the tower with ratchet straps .
>
> Wayne ,W3EA
> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10
>
> From: Don Rasmussen via TowerTalk<mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 1:30 PM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com<mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need advice climbing small tower
>
> Thanks guys,
>
> Here are the hi-res photos from the last time I did the job. Not enough room to work at the top is the problem. The tower will lay down toward the gate but not with the hexbeam on top. I would consider a lift, a ladder, or possibly welding a better crank up tower or crank up mast to the existing base. I just cant seem to shimmy up there to work on the antenna as in 2010 (these photos).
>
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_AdhP0Ri5D51y6P-FAPXPTSyblW8_7M_/view
>
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aHXssn0pBT7dZMBsYn4wVCLpts75cuJ8/view
>
>
> de Wb8yqj Don
> Carlsbad, Ca. USA
>
> An extension ladder would be the choice I would make. A 24 foot extension
> ladder would allow you to reach something 21 feet high.
> What is on the tower? Can it be laid over? Is it next to a building where a
> rope could go over the roof to ease it down?
>
> Chuck W5PR
>
>> On Sun, Apr 11, 2021 at 1:15 AM W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:
>> Climbing belts are out. Full body harnesses are what we should be using
>> today. If you are not comfortable the stay off and hire a professional
>> or find some help. They do make pretty small lifts these days
>> especially for that height.
>> Be safe!
>> W0MU
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Saturday, April 10, 2021, 08:04:06 PM PDT, Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have a 20 foot aluminum self standing tower with a 15 foot steel mast inside.
>
> The spacing is so narrow at the top half of the tower I just can seem to get
> situated to work. My feet press together in the tower and with my eyes
> at the 20 foot level the tower comes to a point so no lateral stability above the waist.
>
> Ten years ago it was easy - it seems.
>
> I have a climbing belt but am considering a ladder this time or any other
> trick short of an exterior lift since it wont fit in the gate.
>
> Any suggestions welcome!
>
> de Wb8yqj Don
> http://wb8yqj.yolasite.com/antennas.php
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 12:52:34 -0500
> From: Chuck Dietz <w5prchuck at gmail.com>
> To: Wayne Kline <w3ea at hotmail.com>
> Cc: Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj at yahoo.com>, "towertalk at contesting.com"
> <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need advice climbing small tower
> Message-ID:
> <CAOk0j18OfO_AHKmRD4j2J_aPsfnp9piAW_7zryBva1ndzyOjcg at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> You would feel a lot better with a full body harness. Have you tried
> climbing it with one foot on each side of one of the vertical members? I
> tried it on some Rohn 25 and it works well. You have more room for your
> feet.
>
> Chuck W5PR
>
>> On Sun, Apr 11, 2021 at 12:44 PM Wayne Kline <w3ea at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> Don,
>> I agree with Chuck an extension ladder extended then lashed to the tower
>> with ratchet straps .
>> Wayne ,W3EA
>> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
>> Windows 10
>> From: Don Rasmussen via TowerTalk<mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 1:30 PM
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com<mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need advice climbing small tower
>> Thanks guys,
>> Here are the hi-res photos from the last time I did the job. Not enough
>> room to work at the top is the problem. The tower will lay down toward the
>> gate but not with the hexbeam on top. I would consider a lift, a ladder, or
>> possibly welding a better crank up tower or crank up mast to the existing
>> base. I just cant seem to shimmy up there to work on the antenna as in 2010
>> (these photos).
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_AdhP0Ri5D51y6P-FAPXPTSyblW8_7M_/view
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aHXssn0pBT7dZMBsYn4wVCLpts75cuJ8/view
>> de Wb8yqj Don
>> Carlsbad, Ca. USA
>> An extension ladder would be the choice I would make. A 24 foot extension
>> ladder would allow you to reach something 21 feet high.
>> What is on the tower? Can it be laid over? Is it next to a building where a
>> rope could go over the roof to ease it down?
>> Chuck W5PR
>>> On Sun, Apr 11, 2021 at 1:15 AM W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:
>>> Climbing belts are out. Full body harnesses are what we should be using
>>> today. If you are not comfortable the stay off and hire a professional
>>> or find some help. They do make pretty small lifts these days
>>> especially for that height.
>>> Be safe!
>>> W0MU
>> On Saturday, April 10, 2021, 08:04:06 PM PDT, Don Rasmussen <
>> wb8yqj at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Hello all,
>> I have a 20 foot aluminum self standing tower with a 15 foot steel mast
>> inside.
>> The spacing is so narrow at the top half of the tower I just can seem to
>> get
>> situated to work. My feet press together in the tower and with my eyes
>> at the 20 foot level the tower comes to a point so no lateral stability
>> above the waist.
>> Ten years ago it was easy - it seems.
>> I have a climbing belt but am considering a ladder this time or any other
>> trick short of an exterior lift since it wont fit in the gate.
>> Any suggestions welcome!
>> de Wb8yqj Don
>> http://wb8yqj.yolasite.com/antennas.php
>> _______________________________________________
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>> _______________________________________________
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2021 14:08:11 -0400
> From: Michael Murphy <mike at ki8r.com>
> To: Don Rasmussen <wb8yqj at yahoo.com>
> Cc: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Need advice climbing small tower
> Message-ID:
> <CA+iQqtgyjOVSU90D3ifbddXEsU4+uY_LmOvJDeyQya0v6oO9Aw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> Looks like Rohn 20. You can always put one foot on one side of the
> triangle and one on another. That would give you a little more room.
>
> - Mike - KI8R
>
> On Sun, Apr 11, 2021 at 1:30 PM Don Rasmussen via TowerTalk <
> towertalk at contesting.com> wrote:
>
>> Thanks guys,
>> Here are the hi-res photos from the last time I did the job. Not enough
>> room to work at the top is the problem. The tower will lay down toward the
>> gate but not with the hexbeam on top. I would consider a lift, a ladder, or
>> possibly welding a better crank up tower or crank up mast to the existing
>> base. I just cant seem to shimmy up there to work on the antenna as in 2010
>> (these photos).
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_AdhP0Ri5D51y6P-FAPXPTSyblW8_7M_/view
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aHXssn0pBT7dZMBsYn4wVCLpts75cuJ8/view
>> de Wb8yqj Don
>> Carlsbad, Ca. USA
>> An extension ladder would be the choice I would make. A 24 foot extension
>> ladder would allow you to reach something 21 feet high.
>> What is on the tower? Can it be laid over? Is it next to a building where a
>> rope could go over the roof to ease it down?
>> Chuck W5PR
>>> On Sun, Apr 11, 2021 at 1:15 AM W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:
>>> Climbing belts are out. Full body harnesses are what we should be using
>>> today. If you are not comfortable the stay off and hire a professional
>>> or find some help. They do make pretty small lifts these days
>>> especially for that height.
>>> Be safe!
>>> W0MU
>> On Saturday, April 10, 2021, 08:04:06 PM PDT, Don Rasmussen <
>> wb8yqj at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Hello all,
>> I have a 20 foot aluminum self standing tower with a 15 foot steel mast
>> inside.
>> The spacing is so narrow at the top half of the tower I just can seem to
>> get
>> situated to work. My feet press together in the tower and with my eyes
>> at the 20 foot level the tower comes to a point so no lateral stability
>> above the waist.
>> Ten years ago it was easy - it seems.
>> I have a climbing belt but am considering a ladder this time or any other
>> trick short of an exterior lift since it wont fit in the gate.
>> Any suggestions welcome!
>> de Wb8yqj Don
>> http://wb8yqj.yolasite.com/antennas.php
>> _______________________________________________
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> --
> ---------------------------------------------
> *Michael Murphy - KI8R*
>
> mike at ki8r.com
>
> www.ki8r.com
>
> *614-371-8265 *
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Digest Footer
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 220, Issue 11
> ******************************************
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