[Skibum]

Well I replaced the wire rope that is used for raising and lowering my antenna tower today. The old stuff had a bit of surface rust on it that had me a bit concerned. In addition to replacing, I went up a size. Now I'm using 1/4 IWRC.
No more worries.

[Shawn]

Looks like a good move. What is the height of your tower again?

[Skibum]

The tower is 3 20 foot sections, freestanding. So total extended heaght is about 55 feet, plus 15 feet of mast, plus the 25 foot antenna.....

[Chromakey]

My friend Andy works in local government and they had three 70ft galvanised towers.

One has been lying around in their carpark unused for some time and they wanted to get rid of it - however, it is classed as contaminated waste or some such thing.

They were going to have to PAY someone to come along and cut it up and scrap it!

However, Andy has a friend who is a ham - as he is.

They have arranged a crane to come and collect it and take it to his friend for free - rather than scrapping it!

I will ask him if he has pictures as he was suggesting that a huge great crane may have taken the thing and would swing it directly over his friends house to get it into the back yard - this only happened yesterday........

[justonemore]

I'm thinking this is a fine opportunity for a film crew!

"World's funniest Tower Videos ! "

[Skibum]

Hey Simon... Sounds like they were trying to move it completely assembled!...

Like I said my tower is 2 20 foot sections that are raised and lowered through a series of pullies.

BTW... I got this tower under similar circumstances. I'd seen it lying along side of a local house for about 3 years... Finally I asked the guy, and was able to buy it for $100. I dropped the boat in the water, and used the ski club to lift the sections onto the boat trailer and towed the stuff to my house.

[Skibum]

Then I had to design a new tilt over base (not included) and dig a really big hole...

The hole was dug by hand ... 7 feet deep by 42 inches wide. Then I had to design the rebar and leg structure.
Once that was done, I called in for a few yards of cement, and had it poured into the hold, then I set the legs, and supported them with some 2x4 supports until the stuff cured.

In addition to that structure, I alse secured the bottom 20 foot section to the side of the house. (I was getting an oscillation in the wind) Amazingly, the 1/2 solid steel plate that I was using for the base plate was flexing.....
Securing to the side of the house totally took care of the oscillation.

[Skibum]

Once that was done, I had to rebuild the lifting assembly and electrics. I moved the switch from motor mounted to relay operated, and made a control box for the shack. Now I use 12v to determine direction, and activate 110v to the actual motor.

I don't remember how I decided what size wire rope to use for the lifting, but ever since new, it scared me while operating because of the elasticity that I was seeing....Moving to the 1/4 IWRC made all the difference in the world. Totally Solid now..... just gotta remember to re-torque the clips in a few days.

[Shawn]

Looks like the lifting cable is "bomber" as they say.

You put a lot of work into getting it right. I bet it is reassuring when a storm blows thru town.

I waited and waited to find some used Rohn 25G (e.g. 3 years) in my area. I always came up empty handed so I finally bought the new stuff.

[Jay]

Just got back from SoCal. Pulled over to roadside and had cousin take a pic of an antenna array near his home in Escondido. I just requested he email it to me. I'm guessing the tower is 200-250 feet tall. Will post when it arrives.

[Jay]

Got the pix. Will post after I return from the cruiZ.

[Jay]

Ahead of sched today so here it is. Taken from a good distance away.

This post has been edited by Jay: 21 October 2006 - 06:07 AM

[Skibum]

Holy crap....

[Jay]

Just a boy and his little hobby I guess

[Skibum]

Mine is a bit more graceful....

I'll try to snap a pic today.

[Chromakey]

No pics available from Andys exploits last weekend as it was "all hands to the pumps" .......

[Jay]

I received this from cousin who live near that tower.

'In making inquiries about that elaborate antenna array on Summit Drive, I find that San Diego North County is HUGE on HAM radio enthusiasts. Where do they all come from? -Most are retired Navy/Marine Corps radio/electronics people, and many seniors (geezers)among them.

Escondido, at 700 ft. altitude, and 20 mi. from the coast, seems to be an ideal location. EARL (Escondido Amateur Radio League) seems to be one of the largest clubs. The clubs all share use of a hi-tech relay station atop Mt. Palomar (5400 ft.).'