In a message dated 2/23/2008 9:02:49 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> I'm new to the list & need some information on Heights Crank up towers
without the tilt over feature. OK here's the background. I use to have a 50 ft
Universal at my old house. I liked the tower, but 50 ft is now above my
comfort level for working on towers, I'd like to get a crankup and think the
Heights would be good one. So, I would like to get in contact with anyone who
currently owns, or has owned a Heights crank up. I've read their web site &
now
want to talk to owners & get the real story.
A customer of mine bought a 100-foot version. He had never had a
tower before and bought it because he could get it in his backyard without too
much trouble and then he'd have a 100' tower. After everything was done, he
wanted a professional opinion about his installation. He made one fatal error
in locating the guy anchors which we corrected.
EVERYTHING about this tower was undersized and under-engineered IMO.
The 3 base bolts were 1/2" or so. The winch and haul lines were inadequate -
the winch got real hot as we were cranking it up. I can't remember if the
cables were rope or steel - they might've been rope.
This was a guyed tower which meant you had to be VERY careful as
it's being cranked up and then the guy tensions were all on the haul cables.
He called the other day as he was preparing to lower it and the
safety latch that locked some of the sections wouldn't release so it wouldn't
descend. I suggested a couple of things that I would have done if I'd been
there
and he went out to lower it. He called back a little later and said that he
indeed got the safety latch to release but as he was lowering it, the winch
got away from him and the whole thing collapsed. The yagi booms bent and the
whole tower wound up jammed in the lower section.
I was saddened to hear about his calamity because he made some bad
decisions that led to this unfortunate occurrence. (OTOH I was glad I wasn't
the guy that did it.) I would never have recommended that he buy this tower -
100' of 45G would have been a much better decision and it'd still be in the
air for the next 25 years or more.
If you've got your heart set on a crank-up, get a US Tower model.
They're steel, well built and US Tower has been known to go out of their way
for customer service.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams
Cell: 206-890-4188
_www.championradio.com/installs.html_
(http://www.championradio.com/installs.html)
**************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.
(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/
2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)
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