Wouldn't it be better to mount the hoop at the bottom of the gin pole?
Having just installed my mast with a gin pole, I think it would be better
there. How could the hoop keep the mast from turning over it the hoop is at
the TOP of the gin pole?
Thoughts?
Jim W7RY
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Scace K3NA" <eric@k3na.org>
To: "YCCC" <yccc@yccc.org>; "Towertalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 7:43 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] nice trick for raising masts to drop into a tower
> Don Daso K4ZA came up with a cute trick to help install masts in
towers. He describes it as follows in this month's "PVRC
> Newsletter".
>
> I think this is an important safety innovation in ham tower work and
think Don's idea should be widely circulated.
>
> -- Eric K3NA
>
> The Toolbox
> By Don Daso, K4ZA
>
> Hams sometimes do slightly dangerous things, and that can include tower
> work, especially the job of raising heavy masts. I've done it myself,
plenty
> of times, using a variety of methods. Having tried all these ideas, having
> listened to everyone else's solutions, I was still convinced there "had to
be
> a better way." Driving through my neighborhood a while back, I had one
> such "Eureka" moment--coming up with a solution to this age-old problem.
> This works better than anything else I've tried.
>
> I recently had to install a 21-foot chrome-moly mast, working alone
atop
> the tower. Installing a basketball goal (just the hoop) at the top of my
13-
> foot heavy-duty gin pole, provided a margin of control (and safety)
missing from all previous methods I've used. The mast, lifted at
> just above its midpoint, couldn't swing or "get away" from me once inside
the hoop, which made guiding it down, and into the tower
> top's thrust bearing, relatively easy. (No matter how big and strong the
tower worker is, maneuvering such a mast is always
> difficult ON THE TOWER, as there's no real mechanical advantage possible,
nor a good way to control the heavy mast.)
>
> Despite all the kidding from my ground crew, everyone agreed this simple
tool made our work faster, and more importantly, safer.
>
> I chose the basketball hoop because it was pre-made, relatively cheap
(mine cost $20), and sturdy. I ground off the small loops,
> which normally hold the net, then drilled matching holes for U-bolts and
saddles to allow mounting on the gin pole.
>
> The installation of long, heavy masts is now much easier. This simple tool
will always be in my tower toolkit.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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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