Bruce,
I sink the first section (or part section sawed off from the last tower) into
the prepared base like K7LXC described. The rocks in the bottom are very
important to drain the water out of the tower legs. Be sure to put plenty of
gravel in there because the concrete tends to shift it around when poured and
you don't want to spend the rest of your life wondering if the concrete plugged
one of the tower legs!
Then mount another 10 foot section on the base sectionif it is not sticking up
at least six feet. Pour the concrete and it will hold the tower in place (more
or less). Use a 3' or so level against each leg in all directions to
straighten the tower. Come back every 10 minutes to check it. It will move
probably the first time and you can straighten it. The second time it may or
may not move (probably not). After that it should remain straight unless the
concrete is way too soupy.
If you mix the concrete yourself, the tendency is to get it too soupy (too much
water). This causes the aggregate to sink to the bottom and will compromise
the integrity of the base.
Chuck, KZ5MM
Bruce Makas wrote:
> Does anyone have any simple trick they use to keep the first tower section
> vertical when the concrete is poured. I will put a form around the top of
> the hole so that the top of the concrete will be above the ground and I can
> crown the surface for water run-off but when I try and think of a simple
> way to brace the bottom section, I go brain dead. Any ideas?
>
> 73, Bruce Makas, K1MY
> Cape Elizabeth, Maine
> 207/767-8150
>
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