[OKDXA] Two memos regarding FREE TOWER, etc.

[K5KC]

The following e-mails were received from Travis Scott, owner of the tower 28
miles N of Stillwater, OK.

 

Memo 1:  This is his response when I asked him about the Tulsa Group (TARC)
and about a 160M wire antenna.

 

No other parties have been given the invitation for tower space, nor have 

they leased any from me.  In regards to a 160M antenna, there could be some 

issues depending on the design, due to the future installation scheduled of 

FM radio antennas at the 195 foot level for use of this site by FM 

commercial broadcasting as an alternate tower site for them.  There is a 

similar tower to this in the vicinity of this that we also own.  I do not 

know if my business partner had made a similar offer to a group from Tulsa, 

however if he did...he is referring to another site we own aprox. 15 miles 

to the SW of this site, that facility is a former AT&T Autovon and L32 

carrier site and is also equipped with a hardened bunker type installation 

with a tower that is 255 foot in height.  We would only offer space in a 

case like this to one group unless multiple groups had worked out a 

co-location plan with us.  No such plan has been discussed to date.  I am 

unable to confirm if the second site was offered to another party, as my 

partner is out of town for the week on vacation.   Food for thought, the two


sites are linked by an underground 32 pair lead cased coax cable assembly, 

which is a remnant of the former AT&T system, we have tested these cables 

between the sites are they are still functional, since they run parallel to 

in service fiber lines they have not been cut or damaged.  Could be an 

interesting way of linking repeaters, or some other creative use between 2 

different radio clubs.  They are quite well suited for RF powers to 2500w or


data via coax, or perhaps ATV, and since they are owned by us and we retain 

privilege to the right of ways, they are not regulated as to their usage 

except by us.  We may use a few of the 32 lines in the future for CCTV or 

telemetry data, but a few would be open if anyone desired to use them.

 

 

Memo 2:  This is a long one and is the set of conditions for use.

 

Great!   Now this is going to sound more painful than it is.  What we need 

from you is the following, please submit to me an engineering plan that
describes the antenna types, number of coax runs and of what type cable 

used. All antenna mounting brackets must be of a very solid nature and able 

to

handle a 100 mph repeated continuous wind loading without failure.  Any 

mount that exceeds 10 foot in any direction must be painted to match the 

tower structure, in your situation, obstruction orange, we can provide exact


paint colors if necessary and the paint is less than 45 dollars a gallon if 

memory serves.

 

Coax cable runs must be individually secured every 25 foot on the vertical 

run and every 4 foot on the bridge run from the tower to the building.  All
coax cables must be run on the inside of the tower face to allow for tower 

painting in the future without moving the coax runs.  No antenna structure
may extend more than 9 foot from the peak of the structure unless it can be 

proven that no distortion to the view of the beacon light is created.  The
beacon support structure may not be used for any purpose, nor may AC power 

be derived from the device.  The beacon height is 12 foot 6 inches from the
tower deck, therefore no device may extend beyond 9 foot 6 inches except for


gin poles during daylight hours.

 

AC power cables, data and control cables or video cables run up the tower 

must be encased in rigid ( threaded) steel conduit and secured every 10 

foot.

All such devices must meet NEC requirements for outdoor use and be 

completely weather tight and grounded to the tower structure by means of a 

#6

bonding strap every 25 foot for lightning protection and must be of copper 

and clamps of bronze or copper cladded steel.  All fasteners used on the
tower for any purpose must be of stainless steel and of a hardness to meet 

the loads expected plus 35%.  Absolutely no holes may be drilled in the 

structure for any purpose, nor welding or chemical bonding.  However silver 

soldering of ground straps at the base is required at their connection 

points.  Should you need to run AC power to the top of the tower it must be 

terminated at a separate electrical panel that exists for tower loads and 

labeled to our specs.

 

All equipment racks must be bonded to the main grounding network with the 

following requirements.  Coax cables must have shields grounded to the 

ground bars within 12 inches of entry of the building with a flat ground 

strap.  All equipment ground straps must meet the following requirements. 

Grounding connections must be able to withstand on a repeated basis, 

currents of 50KA for 50 ms.  Resistance between all racks, tower, building 

grounds, and AC grounds and between coax cables must be measured at less the


1 ohm.  To accomplish this the use of 2 inch wide and 3mm thick solid copper


strapping

silver soldered at all points tied to the existing building grounding system


should be quite adequate.  Most of our midwest tower sites see on average 18


lightning strikes a year an many see more.  Therefore you will appreciate 

good grounding after the first thunderstorm !  I strongly recommend gas 

discharge arresters on all cables as well.

 

You may not alter the grounding system of the building for any purpose, nor 

may you add additional grounds.  Use of the tower as a portion of the 

antenna element is allowed and distribution of RF currents <2A through the 

structure is allowed, however no guarantee of suitability is provided.

 

There is no limit on RF emissions or frequencies, however emissions over 50 

watts PEP require us to be notified, so that we may place this information 

into the RF safety plan of the building.  At this time no such plan has been


created, however if RF levels of all operators require special exposure 

practices to be utilitized, all tower tenants will be required to follow the


safely plan and use any required safety equipment.  This is very an 

important requirement as we

do experience the occasional OSHA inspection.

 

In regards to OSHA requirements, no flammable liquids may be stored on site,


nor any hazardous substance.  I do understand the need for the occasional 

can of contact cleaner or WD-40...Therefore we try to keep a small flammable


goods locker on site ( to be installed ) to be shared among tenants, please 

use it.

 

Batteries of Wet Cell or AGM type MUST be encased in a leak proof enclosure 

that provides total isolation from electrical connections and positive 

corrosive leak protection.  Battery cases must be properly vented to prevent


hydrogen gas buildup.  Batteries MUST be fused directly at the Positive 

terminal and wiring and fuses sized adequate to provide a safe system. 

Batteries must also have a method of fast disconnect that can be used 

without any technical direction.  Efforts should be made to place this 

switch as close to the battery as possible.  Switch must be well labeled to 

enable emergency disconnection should the need ever arise.  DC battery 

arrays shall never exceed 48 volts

 

AC power is supplied on the following basis.  You will be provided with a 50


amp 120/240 subpanel and a 20 amp 120/240 Emergency circuit.

 

The 50 amp panel is active when commercial power is available. Should 

commercial power fail, the facility is equipped with a 250 KW standby 

generator that is automatic in operation.  This will power all emergency 

circuits and interrupt all non essential loads.  Due to a weekly scheduled 

loaded test of the genset that occurs automatically, we recommend the use of


a UPS on the emergency circuit.  Transfer switch delays can be as long as 

500ms.  Voltage is maintained within 2.5 % of normal utility, and frequency 

is greater than 59hz and less than 61hz.  Estimated full load runtime 

without refueling is 14 days.  In the event of a serious emergency that 

effects the public or safely of the facility, we ask that you reduce loads 

on the genset to conserve fuel should fuel deliveries be delayed or 

impossible.  We do not guarantee the operation of the standby power system, 

due to the nature of generators they can sometimes fail without warning, 

however we strive to ensure a proper emergency power system.  Please be 

advised that hearing protection is mandatory in the building should the 

genset be running.  Also the 15 minute exercise time every week is not 

posted so always be prepared for a generator starting without warning.

 

In the event that you require 3 phase power we can provide this, however it 

is 277/480 volt service and on a separate panel.

 

You must provide an emergency disconnect for your system, that can be 

operated by non-technical personnel.  The simplest method of this is by 

properly labeling your breaker panel with a placard in the color of yellow 

in 1 inch high letters that correspond with identical markings on your 

equipment racks.  We do engrave these placards in house here, so if you can 

provide us with information of this when your system is implemented we will 

be happy to install them for you at no cost, we will only place placards on 

equipment racks, never on your gear directly.  Please be sure there is a 2 

high by 6 wide space at the top of each rack for this.  A 1 RU blank in each


rack at the top would suffice as well.  A disconnection would only be used 

to shutdown in the event of an emergency condition, or if your devices 

should present a life safety hazard, or at the direction of the FCC or Law 

Enforcement.

 

All operators must have a fire extinguisher rated to a capacity of 10 b:c: 

and MUST be either a HALON OR CO2 DEVICE !!  No dry chemical, water, or 

loaded stream, or Purple K ext. are allowed  !!  This device must be placed 

on the outermost side of a equipment rack at a height of 42 Inches from the 

floor and serviced on a yearly basis by a licensed inspector.  We provide at


minimum 4 #10 Co2 Extuingsher for the site, however each tenant needs a 

device as well.  Should it ever be necessary to use our devices please 

notify us at once so that they can be recharged.  Remember...If you think it


might catch fire, shut it off...put out the fire if safe to do so, and call 

the fire dept.  We have a local extinguisher company come to each site every


year, so if you like we can have your device inspected at that time, and the


normal cost is around $20, unless it needs a recharge.  The standby 

generator has a halon suppression system that is automatic in operation, 

this presents a life safety hazard to personnel in the building should it 

discharge.  A 15 second warning delay along with horn and strobe is in place


to allow you a brief egress from the facility prior to halon discharge. 

Never tamper, modify or test this system !

 

We do our best to keep environmental between 59 and 75 degrees year round, 

however environmental extremes can sometimes make this difficult.  However 

all sites are designed for the climate they were expected to experience. 

All of our Long Lines sites were built to "expect" a climate of World War 3,


so they hold their own pretty well and tend to just snicker at what mother 

nature sends their way.  ( insert my dry humor laugh here )

 

Tower climbing must be completed by a insured and qualified climbing company


and we need to be notified at least 48 hours in advance of any climb unless 

an emergency exists.  Remember other tenants on the tower will be operating 

with dangerous levels of RF and coordination with us is necessary to ensure 

a safe climb.   We ask that climbs are well planned and that you minimize 

the number of climbs to as few as needed.  We don't like to have to disturb 

other operators by requiring them to reduce RF levels for climbs more often 

than necessary.  ** In your situation I will allow you to use your volunteer


climber, however I will need a liability waiver signed by all parties and 

this will include the understanding that you will be responsible for damages


to others equipment on the tower and all cost associated with their 

repairs...that can be very expensive.  You are the first tenant on the 

recently stripped tower, so this will not be an issue except for the need 

for the liability waiver and our structures.  Please be sure to think 

carefully about this issue as others populate the tower with you in the 

future.**

 

We will not insure any equipment owned by you in our building therefore you 

must insure your own equipment as you desire, however we WILL insure you 

from damages caused by our equipment, or failure of the tower structure. 

Damage limits would be $50,000 for equipment located inside the building and


$100,000 for structures on the tower including antennas, antenna lines, 

mounts, and other equipment providing we have a inventory of all equipment 

interior and exterior and their values.  Each piece of equipment with the 

exception of cables, clamps, and mounts MUST have a serial number on file 

with us.  If the gear is homebuilt, engrave a serial number of 5 to 12 

digits on the unit and file that with us.  We also need a yearly inventory 

of equipment on site with all serial numbers, models and descriptions.  This


information is to be updated with us no later than Jan 31st of each year but


not before Jan 2nd.  We also recommend a photographic inventory of gear once


installed on site.  This can be of great assistance in the rare event of 

damage.  Please remember, we cannot insure you from damage caused by 

lightning or AC power disturbances, they are out of out control and you are 

responsible to provide mitigation and suppression systems as you feel fit. 

Please also remember that you cannot operate any equipment or system that 

causes interference or unacceptable operation to any other tenant on the 

tower, you are responsible for mitigating such interference caused by your 

equipment regardless if caused by transmitting or receiving antennas, or 

inference on the AC bus, should such interference occur you must cease 

operation of said equipment until such inference can be terminated.

 

Commercial telephone service is available should you wish to install any 

lines, the provider is Sprint.  There are 200 line pairs available so there 

will no shortage of available lines, at this time I do not know if the site 

capable of DSL line service, but ISDN is available.  No cable television 

service is available for cable modems.  I would be willing to explore the 

possibility of a satellite internet connection with you, however it would 

need to be installed with a non penetrating roof mount. If a service such as


Directway was used and we could share bandwidth with you we would consider 

splitting the cost of the monthly service and we would pay for the antenna 

and a receiver.  However if DSL is available at speeds of 128kbps or greater


we would not have any desire to use a satellite internet connection.  We can


chat about that if should it come up at a later date if necessary.

 

Tower loads need to be balanced to the best of your ability, your antennas 

need to be less than 954 pounds dry weight on the top sections of the tower 

prior to wind loading of an additional 150%, we will make the wind load 

calculations for you, based on the structure data.  I doubt you will be 

close to this weight limit of the tower, but please try to create a plan of 

spreading the loads on all 4 faces of the tower, with the exception of feed 

lines, which I prefer to be run on only one face. This can be very hard to 

calculate, but I am well experienced at it, if you would like, you can 

supply me with antenna models or the dimensions and the mounting method 

desired and I can create a plan for you to maximize the use of the space. 

Please be sure to give me the details of the antennas use as well ( ERP, 

frequency, TX or RX or both... and if directional, a compass heading of the 

desired aiming )   Due to the geographical location I do not require radomes


on any antennas nor electric bay deicers.

 

Also please remember that these sites are dangerous in nature and although 

HAM radio is a family activity I ask that no children under age 16 be on 

site, there are some very nasty voltages present around some equipment used 

by our tenants along with equipment that is more than willing to remove a 

hand or foot.

 

There !  Thats the nasty technical details, now lets have some fun !

 

I understand that this might take some time for you to put together and 

that's just fine, no rush.  We have employees visit the sites monthly and 

some sites more frequently.  Myself or Alexander should be around there to 

visit the facility sometime in the next 60 days, although I have not planned


a specific date yet.  However when I do have a date I will let you know so 

you can come check out the site.  We must put a new flooring in the 

building.  It would seem that AT&T used flooring that was made from either 

parts of the spaceship that was recovered in Roswell or from Soylent Green 

as the stuff has been ripped out of every long lines site we have bought. 

It sure must have been special for them to take it with them.  ( again 

insert my dry humor laugh here )  An epoxy floor is planned.

 

Put together a plan for antennas and feed lines to the best of your 

technical abilities, I will ask questions as needed and let you know if 

things need to be altered at all.  Then we can put together an eventual 

schedule for your installation dates, preferably tower work first and with 

minimal delays and interior work at your leisure.  Since you are the first 

to using be using the tower since we stripped it, you wont have to worry 

about interfering with anyone, but we like things to be tied up on a tower 

quickly for safety.  There is parking enough for about 12 cars, however I 

ask that you please keep the lot clear for others and of course never, never


block the exits for safety reasons.  For equipment move in's there are 

double doors in the rear of the building that are a minimum of 60 inches 

wide an 7 foot high.  Interior ceiling height is 16 foot, and since antenna 

lines come in near the ceiling....keeping a sturdy fiberglass ladder on site


would be a good idea.  There are wire trays that run everywhere in the 

building along the ceilings for antenna lines and whatever else.  They make 

for a nice neat installation so please take advantage of them.

 

What you will get from us for an agreement is basically as follows.  If you 

want to move forward, we will issue you a 720 day lease that expires if no 

equipment is installed, if your equipment is installed the lease will 

automatically renew for another 5 years.  The lease will be written for 

$0.00 a month with you responsible for utilities except for the electric 

service and HVAC we provide.  The lease does provide you with option to 

terminate with 30 days written notice, or allow us to terminate if you 

remove equipment, or it is not in operation for a period exceeding 120 days 

after the first 720 days provided for initial installation.  We may also 

terminate the lease for violations of safety, usage etc...the standard deal 

basically.  Don't worry about submitting handwritten design plans to me, so 

long as I can read the numbers it's fine, I can translate it to my software 

pretty fast.  I don't expect for you to go hire an RF site engineer or 

anything like that, I'll do the hard parts of that for you.

 

There ya go !

 

I'm going to go have my wrist surgery now, from all the typing ( ha ha ) 

Thankfully I bought the do it yourself kit at Sears ( ouch ) The best way to
contact me is via e-mail but you can feel free to contact me 

or Alex at 952-681-2663.  Frequently we are out of the office, but we will 

call back, or my secretary Sabrina may be able to answer some questions too,


she is pretty quick on the draw with questions.

I could have sworn that Alex took a video of the site at some point in it's 

pre-cleanup state, I might be able to dig that up and e-mail a pesky large 

file attachment.

 

T. Scott