Hinging a tower at the base is a VERY dangerous procedure
since the forces involved (base, support line) become quite
large (MANY times the weight of the tower). The lower the
support height, the larger the multiplier.
I have heard of people breaking their home made Rohn 25
tilt bases trying to raise 50 ft of that fairly light weight tower.
I have seen ropes break doing a similar procedure on field day.
If someone had been hit by the snapping rope, I am convinced
they would have been cut in two. NOT a pleasant prospect.
Dismantling the tower, either piece by piece or section by
section (use a HEAVY DUTY GIN pole), if by far the safest
method. Be sure to use a tempory set of lower guys before
removing the last set of the original guys from the tower.
You never know how strong the base really is.
de Tom N4KG
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