My first tower in the early 70's was a 50 foot Rohn 40G with a TA33, total
cost $10 if I took it down. I waited for a concrete truck to be in the
neighborhood and got overage for free. I had dug the hole earlier with a
shovel. No charge for my labor. I purchased a house bracket and attached
it to the two story house. I think the bracket was $20 at the time. I
purchased a Ham M rotator, used, for about $50. The coax was from AES in
Milwaukee. This was the only new purchase. I doubt if I invested more than
$100 for the whole project. Since that time, my present system was in
excess of $3000 mainly for antenna removal contractor, concrete, backhoe,
welding services, and refurbishing of three beams, rotators, and new coax.
This is still cheap compared to other systems described on this reflector.
I can work anything I hear on 40 through 10 meters. I can't compete with the
big guns in the contests but I do a respectable job. I hope that the
comments on here don't deter anyone from assembling a decent tower and
antenna system. It can be done for a lot less if you use take the time and
effort to look for some deals. Of course here in the UP, we don't have to
worry about PE expenses and restrictions!
Tom W8JWN
----- Original Message -----
From: "RICHARD BOYD" <ke3q@msn.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>; <Greenacres113@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] concrete cost
> This reminds me, a friend of mine did succeed in getting his concrete for
> free by calling concrete companies 'til he found one willing to listen to
> his pitch that he's a ham radio operator and was willing to wait for a
truck
> to be in his neighborhood, returning to the shop with leftovers. He was
> ready with the hole dut, rebar in it, etc., they came by, filled up the
> tower hole with concrete, all at no charge. It was a crankup so there was
> just the base hole. He's a pretty good "talker," though, I must say.
73 -
> Rich, KE3Q
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Greenacres113@aol.com>
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 12:11 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] tower cost
>
>
> > if you can scrounge you can save money.
> >
> > i have a bit of an edge in that my dad drove a concrete truck when i
was
> > a
> > kid.i learned about mixing,pouring,etc. for a 3'x3' pour you're talking
> > apx.
> > 30 bags from the local home place. you need a van or pick up truck.
> > lifting
> > heavy bags out of a car trunk is rough and if you tear one.......
> > you can mix 2 bags at a time in a larger wheel barrow. use a garden rake
> > to
> > mix in the water. get a 'whipped cream' look to the mix before pouring
it
> > into
> > the hole. you can add too much water so add it a quart at a time to
> > prevent
> > it from becoming 'soupy'. water rises out of wet concrete. after a 1/2
hr.
> > or
> > so wipe the water off the top. if you don't have a trowl use any thing
> > smooth.
> > a tin can works wonders. after this trowling the surface looks a bit
> > like
> > wet gray sand. that is the surface that will dry so if you want to add
> > the
> > date or your call use a nail to write with.
> > the concrete won't harden enough that you can't keep pouring each wheel
> > barrow load on top of the last one in the hole. use a pipe or stick to
> > poke the wet
> > concrete layers to mix them as you pour. this will prevent layering. it
> > will
> > take 60-90 mins to pour all you'll use for a 3'x3' hole.[apx 1 cu. yard]
> > if
> > you poke it, it will blend just fine. this also allows trapped air
pockets
> > to
> > release.
> > a few last items. the hotter the wx the faster it sets up so try to
avoid
> > 90+
> > days. or pour early or late in the day. of course on a rain free day!
> > the bags will run apx $60-70 but cemet companies usually won't bring 1
> > cubic
> > yard or less without a sur charge. in my local area they get $75 a yard
> > with
> > a 2 yard minimum. if it takes you longer than their normal time to get
it
> > unloaded they charge 'waiting time'.
> > this is usually a $1 or 2 a minute!!!!!!
> > with a helper or 2 you can do it yourself and save $$$$$$$.
> > REMEMBER: if the cement truck comes he has to wash out the empty drum
and
> > drain it out on site. that means a pile of stone and cement you must
> > dispose of.
> > neighbors frown on this stuff in their ditch or at the curb.this big boy
> > weighs 80k lbs. so it can crush ashphalt in a heart beat. use 2x10s for
> > him drive
> > on if the soil is soft or you don't want something broken. concrete
> > driveways are great for your car or truck but they can't support an 80k
lb
> > truck.
> > they'll crack one like an egg.
> >
> >
> > k9il
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > 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.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
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