| Author |
Message |
    
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 272
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 12:20 pm: | 
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Are grade 5 bolts strong enough to put the tower together?
How many feet of tower should I put in the ground, and how much quick-crete?
I will have part of the tower attatched to the house. Do I need guy wires for fifty feet?
I will appreciate any other helpful advice from the experienced.
I was told there were two different size bolts to put the tower up. Does anyone know the size and length? It is a Rohn tower.
Thanks
Wildrat
CEF674
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Troublemaker
Intermediate Member
Username: Troublemaker
Post Number: 230
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 1:35 pm: |
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is it a 20g or 25g ?I have 20g at 55ft.
one set of guy's at 40 ft. set first section in
concrete,48in. deep & 40in. around,and I think
it was around 42-bags of sakrete,if I remember correctly.It went about six months without any
guy wires at all,with a Maco V 5\8 on top. |
Hatchet
Junior Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 46
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 2:01 pm: |
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Yes grade 5 bolts are more than suffecient
3' of tower in a 3x3x4 concrete base will hold it in place
Yes you will need to guy it if it is 50'
The bolts are 1/4" x 1 1/2" and 5/16" x 1 1/2 I believe. It takes 1 of each for each section leg. Personally for 50' I would get a tilt over base and do it that way. Pour your base at 3'x3'x4' deep and put anchor bolts in it when you pour it. Put the base on it, put the tower together on the ground and raise it up. Never have to climb it at all. I would suggest getting concrete from a concrete company. It will take ALOT of bags to fill that hole and your concrete will be stronger than quick-crete |
Crackshot
Member
Username: Crackshot
Post Number: 64
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 5:15 pm: |
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Grade 5 bolts are made to bend under stress.
Grade 8 are harder but will snap under stress.
Grade 5 is the way to go. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 274
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 5:24 pm: |
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this tower is 16 or 14 ga. It is a Rohn tower. I was surprised when I saw how thick the tubing was. I think I am going to look for the hinge plate so I can tilt it down when a storm comes near. Storm = Hurricane.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 309
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 8:13 pm: |
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If you can fine a tilt thats the way to go, I have a rohn 25 at 40' with a tilt base.
No Guys at all..
at 50' I would put two sets of guys,at 20' & 40'
the bolts you have will do ok.
I have been told to put 1' in the ground for every 10'of tower.
50' tower = 5' of it in the ground.
just my 2 cents
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL
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Kid_vicious
Advanced Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 838
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 11:33 pm: |
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crackshot makes a very good point about what grade of fastener to use in a tower install.
he is 100% correct.
the rule we use in the theater biz, is that if it is going over someone's head; use grade 5 bolts.
grade 8's are for very specific applications, and we usually use them only when requested to do so by an engineer.
i will tell everyone that they should buy their bolts from the big bin and not in the small prepackaged boxes. they are fine for smaller stuff, but not when safety is a real concern.
matt |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 277
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 9:10 am: |
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I know all about bolts. I build engines that can produce a lot of power. Like my 72 Chevelle wagon with a blown 454, she's making 680 horse/640 lbs of torque, and she will hall donkey. I am going now to get my bolts, then I am going to stop by the metal place and get some plate and angle. One of the sites selling Rohn products put a very goodd picture of the tilt base on their site. So I saved the picture and will build my tilt base from their picture at a much lower price. I need to hurry along now I am expecting my baby to be delivered today.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 918
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 10:36 am: |
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Galvanized coming in contact with most
metals will rust very quickly and cause problems. Use stainless steel hardware and it will be fine.
Same with when mounting clamps to towers for
lightning grounding systems. Use Stainless steel or bronze clamps only. |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 919
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 10:45 am: |
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My tower is attached to my house. I dug a
3x3x3 hole and it took 44-45 bags of Sacrete
(80Lb bags). Appx. 1 cubic yard if having
a cement truck pour the job.
If your going to be using a hinge-plate to
raise and lower tower you want a good chunk
of cement in the ground. |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 920
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 10:57 am: |
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I have pics of my tower base. But, i can not
get them to go on Coppers site yet, so,
i have know way for you to see them.
JIM/PA/CEF375
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Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 279
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 12:44 pm: |
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got the hinge plate from a fella for 60 bucks, now I don't have to fab one. Now I need a big chunk of concrete.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 921
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 4:02 pm: |
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Wildrat,
Grade 5 Galvanized steel bolts are actually
what is recommended for Rohn towers. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 289
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 8:52 pm: |
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TroubleMaker I used to be a service tech before I got hurt several years ago. Before that I was an aircraft electrician on B-52G's, KC-135's,F-16's, and A-10's. I decided I could easily be a service tech after watching the local ACcompany come out and try to fix my heat pump. After seeing there trouble shooting skills I figured I was more than qualified. I went to tech school for a couple of years while working as an installer at a aircraft hanger, because I was too big to crawl around in attics. After graduating tech school I moved to Florida and worked as a service tech till my injury.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Hatchet
Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 50
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 7:28 pm: |
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It will be cheaper for you to have a concrete company come for the concrete....It is about $60-$65/yard |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 303
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 7:45 pm: |
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Thats what I am going to do as soon as I get my son around here to dig me a hole. I need to go to Lowes and get the anchor bolts. Cement around here is more than that a yard, plus they charge for delivery.
Wildrat
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Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 925
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 10:34 am: |
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WoW! concrete must be cheap where you live.
It's $180.00 a cubic yard here where i live
in PA. For a truck to pour it. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 310
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 1:56 pm: |
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Well found a place for 98 bucks a yard plus 30 bucks delivery and 6 bucks a yard for fiberglas additive. So I will go with that. I also have my anchors. I guess I need to call my son about a hole. Maybe I will go get a shovel and see how I do, it's a waste of time though, my back hurts already. Oh well see ya'll.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Airplane1
Advanced Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 637
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 7:13 am: |
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A building supply near my house sells premixed concrete by the yard and have trailers to tow behind your car or truck. but like RW says, it`s more expensive here in our area.
AP |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 313
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 11:06 am: |
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The hole is dug, I have my anchor bolts, my cardboard pattern, and the cement is coming tomorrow.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 317
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 3:24 pm: |
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UPDATE! My concrete is coming at 9am now instead of 1pm tomorrow (Friday)!
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 931
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 4:46 pm: |
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Roger,
Way to go Wildrat! You will have it up in
no time! |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 321
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 6:11 pm: |
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Wildrat, I'm still standing by.
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 248
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 7:22 pm: |
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Got lots coming up - OUT OF STATE VACATIONS and the holiday rush, parties, church functions etc., etc. plus business. Let me know when and I will try and get to Starfaces then we both can head your way if I can make it.
Tim
CEF-634 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 323
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 7:24 pm: |
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me too! |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 331
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 1:42 pm: |
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Well the concrete is poured. I had them put the fiberglass in too. My hole was about 4 feet deep, 3 to 3 1/2 feet in diameter, then about 3 feet X 4 feet and 4 to 5 inches deep on top of the hole. The J bolts are already in, as is the bottom of the tilt over base loosely mounted. I am wondering if anyone knows about how long I need to wait before starting to build the tower?
I am trying stay calm and not start prematurly.
I should not need any help now. My son is coming over Sunday. I am going to have him put a hook at the peak of the house. I have a chain fall I do not use so I will use it to lift the tower. This will be good because I will be able to put the tower up or down by myself, least wise till I get totally decrepid.
Thanks to all who offered to help me at a moments notice. Thanks to all who have given me advice on installing the tower. Thanks toBruce for telling me about the tailgate the local hams were having. If not for this tailgate I would not have my tower, And thanks be to GOD for letting me be at the right place, right time in order to find my tower, my tilt base, and everyone here that are my friends.AMEN!
Wildrat
CEF674
P.S. don't forget to answer the cement ? |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 250
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 4:58 pm: |
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Man that is a lot of concrete for sure. Shouldn't go anywhere.
Take your time letting it cure. You really don't want to have to chip all that out and start over.
You waited this long so another week won't hurt, although I would imagine a day or two and you could install the base plate. I personally would give it a few more days before adding the tower section but I do not know what is actually recommended. I waited a week and a half on mine.
Good luck and lets see some pictures... |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 939
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 6:19 pm: |
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I think most cement reaches half strength in
7-14 days. 14-28 days for higher strengths.
Jim/PA/CEF 375
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Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 325
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 12:21 am: |
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What?!
now My Dr. is going to be very mad at me for not working out!
So Sinker and I Don't get to met you now?
Anyway Glad everything worked out for you for the best.
Gook luck on getting on the air soon.
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL
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Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 334
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 9:33 am: |
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Ya'll can still come over whenever you want, maybe the radio will be working by then. My brother n/ law came down this weekend from Atlanta.He is a General Cotractor, he builds banks and jails. He told me to let the crete set for seven days before putting the tower up. I looked up concrete curing on Google. It says to keep the crete wet on top for at least seven days. The different threads says that doing so will increase the strength of the crete by 50 percent. It will also cut down on shrinking, cracks,and other things. So one method was to cover it with dirt and keep it wet.So thats what I am doing, good use for the dirt pile that was there from the hole. My son will be over tomorrow to eat some seafood gumbo, so he can put the chain fall up. I am serious too guys if you want to come over just let me know, I am usually always home, unless the wife drags me somewhere.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 944
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 7:45 pm: |
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Only a little more while to wait Wildrat.
Up she can go. Will listen for you on
next Sundays Nets if you have it installed.
JIM/PA/CEF375 |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 328
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 12:13 am: |
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ok Wildrat, I'm going to wait for when Sinker can make it over there too, that way he can drive here and we can drive over together as I already know where you are and know the area very well..
Again thanks for the invite...
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 347
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 11:28 am: |
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ok sound fine |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 362
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 6:10 pm: |
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First 20 feet is up.
Wildrat |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3247
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 6:54 pm: |
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cool ! |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 962
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 7:04 pm: |
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You going up 50ft with your tower Wildrat???
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 269
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 7:09 pm: |
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Getting closer. Wait first 20', I thought you had this on a Tilt Base. Is that where it will tilt from 20' up???
May not hear ya this Sunday as I may not be home for the NET but will try from the VAN in Georgia.
Hopefully you invited a bunch of mechanically inclined and good strong friends to your place for Thanksgiving. If so you will be up and running this Sunday.
Good Luck
Tim
CEF-634 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 364
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 9:59 am: |
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I have 5 10 foot tower section, plus the 30foot push up pole that I was going to use. I may put it on the tower too, since the diameter of the large section of the pole slides into the tower top. I will not push it up another 30 feet though, maybe 10 feet.
No, the tower doesn't tilt at 20 feet, thats just all I could manhandle by myself yesterday. I am doing nothing today though except making a couple of pies. The reason for not doing anything with the tower is because of my stupidity yesterday putting the 20 feet up. I am not suppose to lift.I hurt today, I also ran out of my methadone, I need to get it refilled today, but I can't leave the house because Sears is delivering my new frezzer & fridge. I have a couple of Oxycontin to hold me over till I go to Walgreens. I was also suppose to put plugs in my wifes bike and do a couple of other things.
No, no ones coming over, I am going to my oldest sons house for dinner. It should be interesting, his girlfriend who cannot cook is cooking. I hope she gets the Turkey cooked. I do not eat under cooked bird, and I will tell you when it's not cooked.
There is so much left to do with this Radio I don't know when I will flip the switch. I'll be sure to shout for you when I do. This DM M-400 should make the trip.
Oh Well, I need to get started!
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 965
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 12:08 pm: |
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Oh no! under-cooked bird! Good luck! LOL
Also good luck with the rest of your tower
and antenna install::::
I heard under-cooked bird works great as
a good coax seal...LOL.. Have a great and
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 367
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 7:00 pm: |
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10-4. Ya'll have a good one also. Looks like the wife wants to ride the bikes this weekend so there won't be much done on the tower. I need to rest for a couple of days anyway. This cool air doesn't help either. I did get my script refilled so that was good. Riding my bike is the only thing I can sit on andbe comfortable. I have a chair that's suppose to be good for my back, it's uncomfortable. I have one of those Select Comfort beds, it's uncomfortable. I cango sit on my bike and ride and it feels good. I have a Corbin seat and they did a good job making it for me. You can get off the bike and you don't even think about your rearend being sore or the back. I guess I could put the bike in the living room.
See Ya'll
Wildrat |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 970
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 10:11 pm: |
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We are going to have a white Thanksgiving as the snow is coming down here in PA.
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 369
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 11:50 pm: |
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I think it's suppose to be in the 70's tomorrow, just cool enough to cause me to wear a jacket on the bike. It's suppose tp be back in the 80's this weekend.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 372
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2005 - 7:17 pm: |
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Well my pumpkin pies looked good but I kinda put to much nutmeg in them so now my throat is bothering me. I put an entry gate on my fence by the tower. Now I can open the gate and lower the 20 foot of tower down to the concrete driveway and finish building it. I can get my mechanics chair out and roll around from point to point. No dirt or mud etc. It won't be up this Sunday for the nets, maybe next Sunday if I get what I'm waiting for from UPS.It's going to hold up running the coax down the tower, but there plenty of other things I can do.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 973
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2005 - 9:28 pm: |
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Good Deal on your tower./ Sorry to hear about
your throat./ I know what you mean with the
nutmeg.
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 377
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 6:39 pm: |
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Well,I did nothing on the tower this weekend. I ended up going bike riding with my wife Friday and have just gotten back a couple of hours ago(Sunday) I did stop at a Chrome shop for big rigs and found some pretty knobs for my S9 in the Jeep.The Chrome Shop was cool, it has all kind of stuff in their. Lights for my Jeep, Knobs for Cb's, just all kind of stuff, makes me want to get a big rig and deck it out with all the pretty stuff. I wouldn't even need a trailer to haul around, I could just ride around being annoying on my radio, and scaring the krap out of cagers, and fall asleep because I've been driving to long. Anyway I probably will start on the tower again Monday. I am still waiting for a piece from a place in N.Carolina for my I-Max. I am thinking now that I might hook up my spare marine radio, so I thought I might put a marine antenna on the tower too. I will have to see what kind of coax it uses. Oh well thats the latest.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 988
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 11:06 am: |
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Wildrat,
Floridas been coming into PA recently in DX.
Well, at least you got to spend quality
time riding bikes with your wife.
Sounds like you also had fun at the Chrome
Shop. LOL... Ok, Good luck with install..
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 380
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 2:38 pm: |
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Oh Yea,
I had fun at the chrome shop. Wife hates it when I like a store, she knows it's going to cost money. What I spent on the chromed aluminum knobs I got for the S9 I could have gotten another radio. My S9 will be pimping though. I am not on the tower today, woke up with the back hurting more than usual, so I am in my corner straightening it up. The way I'm going I might get the station going by this time next year.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Moonraker
Intermediate Member
Username: Moonraker
Post Number: 100
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 8:23 pm: |
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Wildrat, how difficult were the knobs to get off of your S9, I was going to put the "Old Glory" face plate on mine, but I chickened out. The knobs were very tight, I thought I would break one trying to get them off. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 382
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 8:14 am: |
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I have not tried yet as I was three knobs short, S9 has a bunch of knobs to remember. I did try to get the ch. knob off a while ago, I chickened out too. I also forgot about that also. The new knobs have set screws, maybe the S9 knobs do too. I will have to look.
Wildrat |
Mrclean
Junior Member
Username: Mrclean
Post Number: 15
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2005 - 2:31 am: |
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Im using dacron rope for my guy wires. So far so good. Got 800 ft for about 90 bucks. No worry about it causing tvi rfi. |
Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 441
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 07, 2005 - 5:13 pm: |
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I'm using Kevlar rope on mine. I think you paid to much for your rope. You might want to ck this place called radio works dot com.
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 521
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 4:42 pm: |
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The tower is all together, but still lying on the ground. The winch will work fine for pulling the tower up. The problem today was the heavier duty eyebolt I used at the peak of the house,the eye started coming open. So We lowered it back down to the ground,put the tools up and quit for the day. My wife is going to pick me up when she comes home and were going to the store. I am going to get a piece of angle this time and look for something stronger to use for a pulley. The tower is very close to standing up though. I welded a 4 foot piece of 1/4" plate steel horizontally across the support rails on one of the sections and mounted the vhf antenna on it for the marine radio, now I can listen to the boats in the Gulf. I also tacked the end of the 30' pole to the plate steel so it won't wobble around,and I took a piece of 2 1/2" PVC and slid it over the pole and tapped over the collar on the top section of the tower to strengthen that part of the pole hoping that it will prevent it from bending there,seemed like a weak spot to me. I'll talk to you all later, I'm going on a food search.
Wildrat |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1074
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 6:36 pm: |
|
OK, sounds good Wildrat!
Things are happening! |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 523
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 7:36 pm: |
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The tower is up, took all day but it is up. Ran all the coax, ground wire, guy rope down the tower, tied everything down, wrapped with HVAC metal tape to reflect the sun off of zip ties, coax sealed both connectors. I did not get the line isolator on though.The barrel connector I got some where broke , can anyone guess where it came from, it was just a defective part, so no hard feelings. I could have came in the house and got another one, but I had my son sitting on top of a 6 foot ladder in the middle of the road holding the antenna up so cars could get by and I really did not feel like walking in the house my body was hurting so bad,I hadn't taken my meds all day because I was so excited, and the adrenaline was flowing so I really did not feel the pain till I stopped, but I feel it now, took two methadone tablets and it's barely touching it. Anyway got it all together and cranked the Jeep,turned on the winch, pressed the button and up it went, it was very spooky watching it go up.I'm glad it stopped when it got up. I'll tell ya it's 70 feet to the bottom of the I-Max but it looks like the Eifel tower it's so tall. It's above all the trees around by several feet. I will post pictures tomorrow. I wanted pictures as it was going together but things were happening so fast that I did not get any. I will take some pics tomorrow and post them.
I want to say Thank You to everyone for your advice and your friendship, and you will hear me soon, it won't be this week, maybe the next week if I'm not dragged off again. Again Thanks!
So with that I will say good night.
Wildrat |
Crackshot
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackshot
Post Number: 106
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 7:01 am: |
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You run guy wires on that tower? |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1078
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 7:29 am: |
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YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
GREAT TO HEAR IT'S UP!
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Coyote
Advanced Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 654
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 8:33 am: |
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Wildrat, can't wait to see the pics. Glad its up and all went smooth. Hope you get to feeling better. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
CEF-443
Middle TN Coyote |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 528
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 8:08 pm: |
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Crackshot I did run Guy ropes. I am using Kevlar rope with a Dacron outer layer. I believe is 1/8th inch. I have it attached to the house at about 12' and the ropes are at between 35-40 feet. I did not tie them down yet, Just have them tied ready to go when I get around to it. Today I hooked the ground rods and the houses ground system to the tower. I need to get some more ground wire to connect the antenna to the grounds. I ran out, I will probably need another 40-50 feet of ground wire to tie in the tower and the sub-panel to the grounds. Tomorrow (Thursday) I will maybe start running the coax to the other end of the house to the polyphaser.
Wildrat
P.S. I posted some new pics, but they were not there yet last I checked. Might be now. |
Triplecguy
Intermediate Member
Username: Triplecguy
Post Number: 193
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 10:13 pm: |
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I have a 50 foot tower that is anchored into the ground with 3/8" anchors into a concrete sidewalk. About 14 feet up it is anchored to the top plate of the house (under the eave) with angle iron in a triangle shape kind of like a big letter "A" with the entire circumfrunce of the tower enclosed with the angle iron. The two legs of the "A" extend to a larger piece of angle iron lag bolted to the top plate of the house. I welded them all together and then bolted them because I can't weld very good. It has been up for almost 2 years and has withstood everything. We don't ever have very high winds here, maybe gust around 70mph max, and all it does is flex gently. I only have a dual band vertical antenna at the top, so the wind load is very small, maybe 1 or 2 square feet, I'm sure if I had a giant beam it would be different, but it works great for me. I also put a ground rod right next to it and ran a piece of ground wire up one of the legs almost to the top and have it clamped in about 5 places to the steel. This is mostly to ground a lightning strike, not for RF purposes. If you live in hurricane country, putting on a tilt over base is probably a great idea. Be careful and have fun!!
Dan |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 534
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 9:29 pm: |
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Triple Guy my tower is anchored with 1/2"X10 cement anchors, cemented into a hole full of cement that is 5' deep X about 2 1/2 to 3' in diameter then the hole goes rectangle to 3' X 5'. The cement has the fiberglass fiber in it for strength. I cured the cement for 4-5 days before putting the tilt plate on. The tower is anchored to the house at about 12' with a standard antenna standoff. At about 35-40' I have the Kevlar rope for the guy ropes tied. The tower has 3 ground rods 8' long connected to it, then it is tied into the mains panel where there are two more ground rods. At the other end of the house there are 3 more ground rods in the ground. They are for the equipment grounding. They were also to be used for the PolyPhaser but I have re-thought that and I am going to remount it by the tower so I can run my coax through the attic and shorten the run by about 75'. I am using a I-Max 2000 antenna with GPK. There is a ground wire connected to it and running down the tower to the bottom where it is tied in with all the ground rods down there. I also mounted a vhf antenna on the tower so I can listen to the fishing boats. If you go to member pictures which is the forum above Ask the Tech you can see pictures of what I've been doing. They are under Wildrat. I should be talking soon, but I will have to wait for one of my sons to come over and drag the coax thru the attic. So I will talk to you all later. I am going to pack up my laptop now because I am going home for Christmas, 1st time in about 25 years. So you all have a Merry Christmas! Bye now!
Wildrat |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 541
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 11:40 pm: |
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The Rat is back. Now I need to get busy and get this radio working before Sunday!
WildRat
CEF674 |
Heavyweight
Member
Username: Heavyweight
Post Number: 59
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 8:22 am: |
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I did not read every post here so if someone aready said this im sorry.
Is it really a good idea to mount a tower to the house?I would think that lighting could be a big problem. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 8812
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 9:31 am: |
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Heavyweight,
As long as your Tower is PROPERLY INSTALLED and GROUNDED you should have NO PROBLEMS.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 545
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 2:01 pm: |
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the tower in my pics is virtually freestanding. I did mount a standoff to the house but it's really not doing much except keeping me happy. As far as lightning, I have a PolyPhaser mounted by the tower, which connected to the single point ground system for the house and equipment and tower. There are five 8 foot ground rods in the ground around this tower. At the other end of the house is the equip ground system, consists of three 8 foot ground rods and this is also connected to the single point ground system for the house, tower, polyphaser etc. As far as wind and the tower, I will tilt the tower in bad winds. If left up and it fell over well there would be a 50/50 chance it would hit the house anyway because of the height.
WildRat
CEF674
StarFace did you notice that your cef number is the same as mine backwards? |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 405
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 4:23 pm: |
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no but now that you said it I be dog gone if it's not,what are the odds of that?
We'll never forget each others cef # now we'll we?
Till next time
Starface
CEF476
KI4NBE
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL
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Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 554
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 9:05 am: |
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nope, and if you ever meet that'll be another reason for not forgetting it. Oh yea, Forgot to tell ya that I liked that trailer full of push ups you had in that one photo.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 769
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 2:29 pm: |
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WOW Wildrat! A 70 foot tower! MAN! One day when I become a home owner instead of renter I hope to do the same. Gonna try to get out in the country so I have no nieghbors to worry bout TVI but at that hieght it should'ny be a problem. Hope to contact you soon.I'm always makin contacts up here in the cornfield to you fellas down in Florida. Oh yeah, Did you have to put a light up there? |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 559
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 6:25 pm: |
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Nope, no lights, although I am entertaining the thought but only to annoy my dear sweet neighbors, and that's the reason I won't put a light is because of those neighbors. First time I put a light up one of them will be complaining that I am shining it into their house.
Wildrat
CEF674 |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 409
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 1:19 am: |
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under 200 foot needs no light.. anything 200+ has to has a light and be register with the FAA.
One of the Ham Q's that was on my test.
Till next time
Starface
CEF476
KI4NBE
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL |
