David Gilbert wrote:
> Its from Onion wrote:
>
>> For the life of me cannot see why ham folks love square holes, much easer to
>> dig round
>> ones.
>>
>>
>>
> What makes you think it is discretionary for the average ham?
>
> 1. Backhoes generally dig square holes. An auger large enough to dig a
> large hole is going to be much larger and more expensive than a backhoe.
>
I had a backhoe dig the hole for my new tower. It wasn't round and it
sure wasn't square. More like womperjawed, I would say.
> 2. Rebar cages are easier to build square. Admittedly a minor point,
> but one I'm sure that influences typical engineering practice.
>
It didn't keep Heights Towers from building round ones. All you need is
a rebar bender and a form/jig to hold the pieces while you weld or tie
them.
> 3. Engineering drawings from the tower manufacturer almost always call
> out square holes. A building inspector would very likely disapprove a
> deviation from square to round. Yes, you can hire an engineer to
> generate new drawings for a round hole, but ...
>
>
> 73,
> Dave AB7E
>
I'm glad you said "almost always." See
http://www.heightstowers.com/bases.htm for the exception that may (or
may not) prove the rule.
Since Virginia's legislature passed our ham tower law, local building
inspectors don't even require a permit for a tower, let alone care
whether you are digging round or square holes for the base. When I see
all the grief that other folks have in getting permits, variances, etc.,
it makes this old transplanted Texan happy to live in
Virginia....something I never thought I would say. Just so you folks
don't get the idea that this is a laissez faire, libertarian state, I
would remind you that it is illegal to use a radar detector in your
vehicle in Virginia. :-)
73,
--
Ken K4XL
k4xl@arrl.net
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