[UK-CONTEST] Gin Poles

[Roger G3SXW]

Dear UK Contest,
I'm no expert but am surprised that no-one has so far pointed out that there 
are two entirely different systems. The one discussed here is when the tower 
is laid horizontally, the falling derrick is attached at the base 
vertically, then pulled to the horizontal (usually with some form of block & 
tackle), raising the tower to the vertical. Stability is maintained by 
pre-stressed side guys and a pre-measured back guy prevents pulling all the 
way over, beyond vertical.

The other system is where the lower portion of the gin-pole is attached to 
the upper exterior of an existing vertical tower. The gin-pole's free end 
extends above the existing tower or structure, to which a pulley is attached 
to help vertically haul up the next section of tower. We see this on 
building-sites.

It seems that UK hams know about falling derricks (but call them gin poles) 
but know less about gin poles. US hams are familiar with gin poles but may 
not have come across falling derricks. This may be because towers in USA are 
always substantially higher than in UK: 200 footers can't be raised with a 
falling derrick!
73 de Roger/G3SXW.




----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Regwoolley at aol.com>
To: <tom at telemetry.demon.co.uk>; <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 5:41 PM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Gin Poles


>
> In a message dated 21/06/2010 21:13:27 GMT Daylight Time,
> tom at telemetry.demon.co.uk writes:
>
> I've  always known it as the 'Gin Pole' method, as do both the above
> authors.  Thought the term 'Falling Derrick' was an americanism.
>
> 73
> Tom  G3OLB
>
>
>
> The Term Falling Derrick is indeed the correct terminology. I spent 12
> years in the RAF as an Aerial Rigger. Not once were we ever told it was a 
> Gin
> Pole. The latter seems to have slipped under the wire as the correct name.
> However it is not the right one!
>
> Reg G8VHI
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