[Boatanchors] Tower Construction

[Al Parker]

Hi Dave,
    Eddie's thoughts are a good guide, but realize that there are 2 (at
least) things that need to be closely considered.
  1.  The soil and wind conditions at your QTH, and
  2.  What Rohn rates the tower sections for in an unguyed mode
  3.  How much stuff you're gonna hang on top of the tower
  Your intial comment of "cementing a section" in is already in error, you
really mean "concrete".  And the amount of it needed depends upon the soil
conditions, and the wind  load on the tower.  I'd suggest, that if you
don't know a licensed Professional Engineer in your area that will help
you, you should find out what Rohn suggests.  They won't be specific for
liability reasons, but should have some general guidelines for "normal
soil conditions."   Then get a local professional opinion.
    I am a P.E., and have twice installed a 55 ft self-supported tower for
myself, in 2 different QTH's.  At the first I needed to submit, to the
local building permit dept., engineering calculations (from the tower
mfgr) on the tower itself, and drawings of my proposed installation.  An
inspection of the rebar in the hole for the foundation was required before
the concrete was poured.
    Safety is the main concern in these things, failures can be hazardous
to health.
73,
Albert W. Parker, P.E., W8UT
New Bern, NC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "david knepper" <collinsradio at adelphia.net>
To: <AMradio at mailman.qth.net>; <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2006 1:44 PM
Subject: [Boatanchors] Tower Construction


> I am thinking about buying a stick of Rohn 55G in cement with about 3 or
4
> feet sticking out of the ground.  I wonder how many sections of 55G I
could
> mount without guys.  I do have a strong base plate for the 55G but
cementing
> a section seems to be sturdier.  Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks
>
> Dave, W3ST
> Publisher of the Collins Journal
> Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
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