Right, I've done them single handed many times. I have 14 of them here -- nine
of my own and five belonging to others -- we use them for Field Day and
anything else we think of during the rest of the year. In addition to moving
the tubes separately from the base ("launcher"), N3OC showed me another trick
-- leave the rack for the tubes at home, which makes loading the tubes into a
minivan, back of an Expedition, etc. very doable. 73 - Rich, KE3Q
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Hammill
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 7:10 PM
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Portable Tower Question
I don't want to start a war...but with all due respect to Jamie,
I have to disagree with the notion that AB-577 movement and
installation can't be one-man jobs. I own three of them, and
have transported and erected one or more several times by myself
with absolutely zero assistance.
The trick for transporting them (i.e. - loading in a truck bed
is to pull the tubes and carrier out, move the pieces, then
reassemble in the truck bed. Of course it adds 10 minutes
or so to the process - but these sorts of things shouldn't be
done in a hurry anyway.
My typical one-man installation time for a standard 50-footer
runs about 1-2 hours, depending on the complexity of the antenna
stack (long VHF yagis, preamps, HELIAX, etc.), and includes
shoveling a level pad in hard-packed decomposed granite soil.
Sure, I get some exercise in the process, but everything has
always progressed smoothly.
So far, my only problem with the AB-577 system is that the
standard guy stakes are too short for handling high gusting
winds (75-90 MPH w/ long gusts 95-110 MPH)...and forget screw
anchors in our soil. You might as well try to screw one into
cured concrete. I'm considering some concrete base pads and
guy points at home for semi-permanent use.
Good luck & 73,
Dan KB5MY/6
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of James C. Hall,
> M.D.
> Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 13:15
> To: JWallace@karta.com; towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: RE:[TowerTalk] Portable Tower Question
>
>
>
> Hi John:
>
> There are several Army Surplus models that may fit the bill. The most
> popular is the AB-577 "Rocket Launcher" which will go 50 feet and with an
> extension kit will go 70 feet. It weighs about 200 lbs and is NOT
> a one-man
> job. I know - I have one. This may be complete overkill, however, and you
> may be able to use something like a AB-155, which will go to 30
> feet and is
> definitely a one-man job. I use one of these to support a long Carolina
> Windom on one end. Both of these are VERY popular in ham circles and, as
> such, have become rare to find complete 'kits'. When you can find them (
> usually on eBay ), they will fetch a 'pretty penny' ! Ontario
> Surplus should
> have some info on all this.
>
> 73, Jamie
> WB4YDL
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of John Wallace
> Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 11:15 AM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Portable Tower Question
>
>
>
> I am interested in building or buying a truly portable tower or guyed mast
> assembly that would extend up to about 40 feet in height.
>
> By "truly portable", I mean that one or two people ought to be
> able to lift
> the thing out of the back of a pickup truck, carry it a few hundred feet,
> set it on the ground, and have it up in less than 30 minutes, using just a
> sledgehammer to drive in guy wire stakes & ground rods.
>
> In my application, the weight and wind resistance of the antenna itself
> would be negligible.
>
> I don't want to re-invent the wheel; can anybody point me to design
> information and/or to a commercial vendor?
>
> Thanx in Advance, john W2GNI ... jwallace AT karta DOT com
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free,
> 1-800-333-9041 with any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers",
> "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free,
> 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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