Diligence is a good thing but weather forecasts don't always play out as
predicted. As I previously described, I had myself and 3 others converge on
an older hams QTH for a "Tower Raising" but... Although the weather
forecast that was less than 2 hours old said 0% chance of precipitation till
afternoon nevertheless a thunderstorm with terrific lightning display
(closest strike was a few hundred yds away and was quite spectacular) ran us
off the job about 10:00 AM.
It is these unpredicted storms that put holes in your due diligence
approach and tend to motivate the risk adverse among us to leave the tower
down when not in use or at least when we aren't around to lower it if
conditions warrant.
Note that I am in the heart of tornado alley in south central Oklahoma so my
"take" on "sneaky weather" may be different from yours. The NOAA severe
weather scientists in Norman, Oklahoma put out these stats: The odds of any
given residential structure receiving significant tornado damage in this
area is on the order of once per 4,000 years. Careful folks consider proper
preparation prudent since this may be your year! In my neighborhood you can
cross the street without looking either way and probably survive for years
but it isn't prudent.
The odds are in your favor to ignore tornado safety but it isn't prudent.
Ditto following forecasts for tower exposure. I think of the fellow who
when falling from the 40th floor was heard to exclaim as he passed the 20th
floor, "so far so good!" Do you wear your seat belt all the time or just
when you think an accident is likely?
What are the risks and cost potentials of lowering a tower when not in use
or not "watched?" What are the risks and costs of leaving it up? If you
weigh the odds vs costs and would rather risk the tower crashing down than
lowering it then that is your choice and I am happy with your decision
because I am not in the "kill" zone if there is a failure.
Patrick AF5CK
-----Original Message-----
From: Andre VanWyk
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 7:25 AM
To: Jim Rhodes
Cc: Kenneth Waites ; towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] DC for winchwes
Good point Jim.
I keep my eye on the weatherman and if bad stuff is about to set in, I crank
my towers down BEFORE the bad stuff gets here or the power goes down.
NJ0F
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 1, 2013, at 1:26 AM, Jim Rhodes <jimk0xu@gmail.com> wrote:
I went with the DC and trickle charger too. Inside with big wire going to
tower (it is less than 10ft from the house). My reason for doing it this
way instead of AC is that I can lower my tower AFTER the power goes off.
Jim K0XU Sent from my Xoom tablet
On Mar 31, 2013 2:14 PM, "Andre VanWyk" <kr5dx@yahoo.com> wrote:
Been there done that, and my experience was nothing but a pain. Do it
right and go AC.
The price of a DC hoist will get you close a AC model.
73
NJ0F
------------------------------**--------------------
From: "Kenneth Waites" <barbiekenw@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2013 8:29 PM
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] DC for winchwes
For those who use 12v DC electric winches or hoists to lift the tower, I
am curious as to power sources used.
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