Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] US Towers TX-472MDPL Remote Control

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] US Towers TX-472MDPL Remote Control
From: WD0M <wd0m@centurytel.net>
Date: Sat, 01 Nov 2003 17:07:53 -0700
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I failed to mention that my tower is fully visible from the very large window in the shack. Many folks have suggested that I rethink the wisdom of controlling a tower sight unseen. And they have a good point. Were I not able to see the entire system, I would not pursue this option. I've experienced a hand cranked tower sticking in the part-way-down mode and it ain't fun. Point well taken.

73,
Joe
WD0M

At 04:55 PM 11/1/2003, Jim Lux wrote:
Bear in mind that when you remote control something that you cannot see, you
need to have some basic safety precautions in place, like interlocks and
position feedback.  A friend has a crank up tower (without positive pull
down), and had it hang up while retracting one night.  The winch keeps
unspooling the cable, leaving the upper tower sections essentially supported
by friction.  I forgot why he went out there to look at, but he mentioned it
was pretty scary, looking up at the tower with a flashlight and realizing
that at any moment it could break loose and fall.

Also, what if something is stuck in the tower lattice, and you push the up
or down button, having your tower do a nice imitation of a kitchen vegetable
slicer.

Seems that it wouldn't be too difficult in these days of modern programmable
logic controllers costing less than $100 to rig up a suitable encoder and
feedback that would detect if things are awry (heck, garage door openers do
it).  And, no, I wouldn't trust any sort of PC software to do a life safety
function, which this is.


_______________________________________________

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

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>