[Hallicrafters] Antenna wire removal

[Roger (K8RI)]

rbethman wrote:
> Even as a *JOKE*, the posting of this suggestion *IS* absolutely 
> unconscionable!
>   
Actually 40 or 50 years ago many of us would not have hesitated to do 
that in unpopulated areas. Today with lots of people around it'd be a no 
go. OTOH 40 or 50 years ago, we would probably have just either blown 
them off with a half stick on each or used a chain saw.  The half stick 
is more fun, but takes skill to keep from filling the shack full of 
holes and today I doubt you'd be able to get the license. Of course at 
age 16 I could walk into the hardware store and buy it by the case and I 
definitely am not going to explain how to blow of a pole cleanly.

The following is what I'd do, it is not without some risk. Any time you 
start messing with old, wood poles and towers there is an element of the 
unknown and sometimes much more risk than it appears.  As a brief 
example of the unexpected, my wife's uncle had the top of his head 
removed when they tried to pull a car out of a ditch (in the winter) 
with a pickup truck and log chain. The chain either broke or came 
unhooked and flew back at the back of the truck like a rubber band with 
fatal results.

Speaking of a chain saw. As he's not going to be reusing the antenna, 
Why not find someone who knows how to use a chain saw (IE how to fell a 
tree or pole in a particular direction), disconnect the antenna from the 
shack and move out away, precut the poles to fall in the desired 
direction (don't any one try this if you have to ask why).  Then have 
some one give each pole a push at the same time.  The whole works should 
just fall over safely.  If desired you can throw a line over each pole 
and guy them at about 60-70 degrees to the direction of fall and away 
from each other just in case they don't fall at the same time.  That 
will keep them from falling toward the shack. Actually if set up like 
this they won't fall on the shack and at worst would fall pointed 
slightly toward the other pole and would probably cause the other to do 
the same. Every one except the guys pushing on the poles should stay out 
of range (full length) of any guy line or antenna wire. Particularly if 
steel, those things can fly like a whip but with a lot more force.  Old 
wood poles are unpredictable and if made from untreated wood, which most 
were I could carry one over my shoulder as they weigh very little. Wear 
a work jacket (even if it is hot) as well as good leather gloves, steel 
toed work boots, and safety glasses.

Just take the proper precautions, cut 'em off, and dig out the bases if 
necessary.  That type of pole was seldom over 5 feet deep and many were 
not that deep.

That's what I'd do.

73

Roger (K8RI)
> There is ALWAYS the REMOTE chance that someone would actually TRY this!
>
> Bob - N0DGN
>
>   
>> .22 short?
>>
>> Subject: [Hallicrafters] Antenna wire removal
>>
>>     I am helping install a NDB at a nearby airport.  We need to  
>> remove the old antenna which is a horizontal twin wire dipole between  
>> two 30 foot poles about 200 feet apart.  I would like to first cut  
>> the wires before downing the poles.  The poles are old and probably  
>> not safe to climb.
>>     Does anyone know of a method for cutting an overhead horizontal  
>> wire about 30 foot up?
>> Thanks.
>> Skip  W7WGM
>>   
>>     
>
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