[UK-CONTEST] Gin Poles

[tim.trew at btinternet.com]

> It really does work very well and is very easy to put up a decent sized mast 
> single handed. The secret is to make sure that the two sets of side guys are 
> fixed without any slack before erection. I made that mistake the first time 
> I used this method and the thing wobbled all over the place as I pulled it 
> up! The back guys for the mast are measured and fixed as per the two side 
> guys although, of course, they won't be tight until the mast is erect. Two 
> temporary guys are needed either side of the 'Falling Derrick' and a back 
> guy for it, which is ideally pulled up with a block and tackle.
>
> I recently erected a 50 footer very easily single handed. It remained fully 
> under control at all times.
>
> 73
> Tom G3OLB


Another part of the secret is to make sure that the top of the mast goes up no more slowly than the middle. We used to use this method for a box of 4*21 els on 70cm + splitter + preamp + relays + stacking frame on a 50' mast. That weight used to make the mast bow upwards in the middle as soon as we started to raise it. Once we ended up with both ends of the mast on the ground, but the middle 20' up in the air - and some very bent scaffold poles and beams. If your aerial is heavy enough to bow the mast, you need to make sure that the rope to the top guy is _slightly_ tighter than the one to the middle to counter the bow ... or have a brave soul with a hard hat pulling down on the back guy at the centre of the mast to keep it straight - we didn't have any volunteers!

73 
Tim G8JXV