Bob,
You’re the same age as I am, almost 60. Working with towers is hard
physical work. There will be days, especially with the taller tower, when
you will feel like you made a big mistake ‘biting off’ the bigger tower.
The bigger tower needs a bigger base, bigger hole, & a lot more concrete.
You said something about
Tilting 55ft.... Crank up / tiltover only tilt over when they are
completely nested at 20-22-25feet high. So you taking about maybe 5 to 8
feet more during tiltover.
The difference in performance will vary throughout the year and the solar
cycle. You will be better off on 20 & 40 with the taller tower, plus that
taller tower will be a more suitable height to support wires on 80M & 160m.
Plan to motorize the crank up and the tilt over, because when you get
older, you’ll be glad you did.
Use a thrust bearing.
You’re in the lightning capital of the world, so use best practices for all
wiring.
Find a contest or DX club in your area FCG SEDX and find a tower mentor.
GL
-Charlie N1RR
3 guyed towers & it’s a lot of work.
YCCC V.P.
On Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 12:24 PM Robert Gerace <robert.gerace@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Please forgive my inability to figure out how to search archives by
> subject as I have to imagine this is a common question.
>
> Understanding the best answer is “as high as possible” and the second best
> answer is at least one wavelength...
>
> I wanted to ask about some real world experience between 50’ and 66-70’...
>
> Specifically: given the same antenna, same QTH, same general point in the
> solar cycle...
>
> Has anyone had a 20m monoband, trapless beam at ~50’, then raised it to
> ~70’ and seen enough consistent improvement to justify the effort?
>
> Background:
>
> Given my QTH I have about 55’ to tilt my (in process of permitting) tower.
> If I want to go higher I’m clear to 70 easy. However it will require
> telescoping (e.g. lower to 55, then tilt) to be able to service from the
> ground — a requirement for me.)
>
> The cost difference is very substantial all the way around: purchase,
> shipping, footing, installation).
>
> So I’m wondering if it’s worth all the time and trouble to get an extra
> 15-20 feet?
>
> Background: I’d like a big signal, would like to have at least a 50-75%
> chance to bust most pileups... even if it takes patience...but I’m a casual
> DXer who after 44 years is getting serious about 20m CW DXCC.
>
> I’m not trying to be the guy who is first through the pileup or even
> places in a DX contest... but I’m tired of being the guy who can only reach
> for low hanging fruit. I want to work some more dopamine inducing DX and
> maybe turn in something more than average on contests.
>
> I live in NE FL, a mile from the beach, on very sandy soils, and have oak
> trees at 45’.
>
> Any insight appreciated.
>
> Thanks es 73
> Bob
> KD4Q
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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