[Lowfer] Tower Align Fixed

[Peter Barick]

Hi Jay,

Was off last week and away from the list and the Web.

Good advice on the tower and I tried it except for the jacks. What I
last tried worked. The setup was on a fold-over tower and the top
section was folded down yet up about 20 feet. To this, the top section
was to be attached (Rohn 25). First I made a template of the triangle
pattern of the top section (they're the full tubes). I carefully cut out
the hole pattern and brought this up to the top tower piece. This showed
one leg about 1/8 inch out. I braced the tower with a 20 foot 4x4 to
ground and used a pipe to pull the leg in. It was stiff, though. I think
it moved some. Next, with a neighbor, raised the top section for
fitting, still out. Bring the top sec down and using a heavy file I
removed the outer lip only of the suspended out leg. It worked and
allowed the legs to start fitting and as force was applied in-line with
the legs. That process took about three days of trial an error and head
scratching. Now erected.

The newer tower is also up. It's 40 feet of mostly Rohn 20. I was able
to get the first two sections on the base and had an antenna guy do the
last two. This guy works w/o belt or gin pole. He grips a section
mid-point and hauls it up. At the top he's waist high w/ one leg around
as his grip. With two arms he raises it, grips it at its base and sets
it down with a little wiggle to set the legs. Amazing to watch.

This guy is tall and sort of thin. I asked where he got that upper body
strength (he wasn't "muscle bound"). He said he was a gymnast in HS. His
push-ups record was 250! (I could do 45 ten years ago). He currently can
walk 100 feet on his hands. But he doesn't look all that different.

Peter


>>> advancedreceiver@snet.net 07/17/03 08:27PM >>>
Peter

For what it's worth...have had good luck using a piece mast material
(1.5
inch galvanized water pipe) as a lever to fix moderate alignment
problems -
much easier if you have two people up there. If the fit is way off you
might
have to slightly bend a crossbrace, mate the two sections, and then
straighten the crossbrace. If done carefully with a plastic deadblow
hammer
the galvanize should remain intact.

Another tool that occasionally comes in handy up high is a small
scissors or
bottle jack. At least Rohn 25 moves a lot easier than 45 and up.

Jay