[SixClub] Tower

[K8RI on 50MHz]

OK, I'll add my two cents... <:-))

I took my old 90 foot American Steel down a couple years back.  A good
portion of it was between 30 and 40 years old.  (It'd been repainted twice
externally)  About the only thing in the legs were cob webs.  It had picked
up a light coating of rust in some spots, but that appeared to be from the
bolts.

Other than being a bit skinny compared to the 45 G (and a bit mis-shaped
from years of storms) it was solid.  The guys were rusty on the surface, but
solid. They were wire rope and not the cheap stuff.

I always use temporary guys when installing or dismantling towers.

The following is not a "how to", but just some observations.

Were it me, I'd inspect the tower for signs of anything more than surface
rust.  10 or even 20 years of just standing there doesn't mean it's unsafe,
but it doesn't mean it is, either.
I'd also check for water/freezing damage and a good solid base.
Are the guy wires strong and safe...they can be rusty on the surface, but
make sure they aren't the soft stuff sold by many TV supply places.

If it meets those safety items, I'd go out and purchanse enough 1/8 th inch
wire rope (galvanized is fine), or even rope if you have some to use for
(two sets) of temporary guys. Don't skimp on the temporary guys.  Lucky it
doesn't take much to guy a 50 foot tower.

Get a Gin Pole and remove the antennas.  Once the antennas, rotor and
everything else up on top are removed, we reach an "It all depends" point.
If the tower is next to a tall building AND you have the space to lay it
down a couple of ropes over the top hitched around some good sized trees
will let you just lay it down. Hook them to the tower around the 40 foot
level.  I've put up and taken down 50 foot towers of the ROHN 25G size and
weight in one piece.  HOWEVER it takes at least 5 good size men to do so.
You need at least three on those ropes,
>
It also helps to have at least one rope on each side to guide it from left
to right and a couple strong people to walk it down while supporting it.
Two normal size men can lift a 60 foot tower but not from near the base as
it tips over.  Remember that the work is most difficult when the tower is in
the 45 degree range.  Much below that two people can easily support it (if
they can reach it)

If the building is not tall in comparrison to the tower the force on the
base (from the ropes) becomes quite large as the tower reaches the 45 degree
point and continues to increase. Hence the reason for the people available
to "walk it down".

Walking it down, or using a Gin Pole is not normally a one man operation.
You should be able to find a number of hams who have done this. Just don't
expect them to be throuroughly knowedgeable. Plan things out ahead and
remember if you tilt it over that sucker gets heavy in a hurry.  If it has a
clear path and it has to have one if you are tipping it over and walking it
down with the aid of ropes, don't be afraid to just "let it go" if it starts
getting away from you.  Have every one briefed and have a place for them to
go if it starts to drop.  It is the responsibility of those on the ropes to
the sides to make sure it doesn't fall to one side or the other.  It
wouldn't hurt to have an observer in line with the tower but far enough out
so it can't get them.  That observer is the only one who can really direct
those with the ropes on which way to go to keep it straight.

Three  people can do a 40 footer, but it takes at least 5 to do a 50.
With practice/experience and a good gin pole it is possible to take down a
50 footer in a half hour.  I've taken down 90 foot American steel in just
over an hour.  Well, every thing except the last three sections which we
just tipped over and then used a jack to get apart.

My own opinion is tower sections "belled" into each other that take a jack
to get apart should be thrown away.

The swedged sections are common, EXCEPT I've never heard of a tower that
uses two male and one female leg.

As for value, if the tower and antennas have been up there for 30 years,
they really aren't worth a lot.  Probably the effort to take them down.

It sounds harsh, but neither old towers or old antennas are worth much.  A
tri-bander of that age will most likely require the traps be disassembled
and cleaned.  It wouldn't hurt to give the entire antenna a good going over
with "Scotchbrite" pads and then some clear Krylon after reassembly.

I took my 90 foot American Steel down and sold it for $10 a section. That is
after I took it down and all they had to do was carry it away.

73

and be safe.

Roger Halstead (K8RI, EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
N833R, World's Oldest Debonair (S# CD-2)
www.rogerhalstead.com
>
> OK y'all,
>    Need to get some opinions. A local HAM has decided
> to shut down his station after 7 years or so of
> inactivity.I sold a bunch of his equipment at our
> local swapfest yesterday so he is giving me first
> crack at his tower and I have absolutely no idea what
> to offer him.It is a 50 foot tower over 30 years old.
> He bought it used and installed at at his QTH in the
> 70's.It doesn't look like a Rohn with the zig/zag
> supports. This has all horizontal supports like rungs
> in a ladder the whole way up.The bottom section where
> it goes into the foundation is a slide together
> arrangement that has 2 male and 1 female setup. (The
> base is 2 female 1 male)It looks to be well built and
> very sturdy though it is guyed.(wish it was free
> standing but ya take what ya can get!) This may be
> because it has a HUGE triband HF beam on it. He is not
> sure but thinks it is a 10/15/20 meter.Along with a 2m
> multi element beam and a 2m co-linear and various
> dipoles hanging from it.  It even has a Heathkit
> antenna switch along with a rotator. Since it has been
> awhile he is not sure if the rotator and switch still
> operate. I imagine they could be cleaned up and
> repaired if not. I will have to remove it and have
> never worked with a tower before. I figured on getting
> some guys from the club and seeing if there is a gin
> pole and a tower jack around I can use.
> My questions would be:
> Can anyone venture a guess as to who made this tower
> and what it is worth? Any tips on removal,
> re-installation, placement , feedlines etc? If I get
> it, I will probably reuse the 2m stuff and put a 6
> meter beam of some type up there.I have my eye on a
> nice one from Skycraft antennas here in GA. My wife
> wants to use the HF beam. With all those antennas will
> there be a problem with antennas affecting the
> performance of the others? I know this is a lot of
> questions and appreciate your time and patience.
> Thanks!
> Dale KG4SSY
>
>
>
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