[UK-CONTEST] Tower info

[Don Beattie]

Dave,

It sounds like an old Strumech. I have a 60 ft here for the second beam
(that tower is vintage 1969) which looks the same. The swing-arm lock was
eventually replaced in later towers by the flapper.

The conical lugs were originally an after-delivery modification (to stop the
bottom of the sections catching as they came down). Then Strumech began to
fit them as standard. Now (at least on my 80ft HD tower) the bottoms of each
section are tapered.

As for ropes, if you're prepared to cut and put U-clamps on the cable
yourself, there is no reason why you can't just buy the cable from any steel
rope supplier, and cut to length. It's quite easy, and best done with the
tower tilted over, of course. I prefer stainless rope (as I had a bad
experience with the old galvanised - rotted from inside - no warning of
failure). Galvanised are meant to be replaced every 3 years. Stainless every
10-15. Work it out !

Good luck !

Don, G3BJ


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Lawley" <g4buo at compuserve.com>
To: "UK Contest Reflector" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 10:48 AM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Tower info


> Apologies for another technical question, but this is the best forum I
> know for getting these sorts of answers, and we're trying to get the tower
> and antenna set up in time for CQ Worldwide.
>
> Another local of mine has a crankup tower, three section but I don't know
> if it's a Strumech, or BXI or what? The sections are 20ft like Strumech
> but instead of a 'flapper' safety catch it has a catch at the top of the
> bottom section that is swung into position by means of a rod that goes all
> the way up one of the three legs. Also the bottom ends of the legs of the
> next two sections end in a point rather than cut off flat, and it looks as
> though lugs have been welded to the top section to make it accept a
> Strumech head unit.
>
> It could do with new cables. I'd like to know if anyone can identify the
> type of tower, will standard Strumech cables be of the correct length, and
> does anyone know of a source of replacement cables other than Strumech?
>
> Thanks for any help you can give.
>
> Dave G4BUO
>
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