Stuart,
It sounds like we have similar stories here. For better or worse (at
least for now) we are using 4 sections Rohn 25 for our tower. When we
were doing 3 or 4 of these, we acquired tilting bases (which we hang
onto like they are our children) and pin the bases with 4 ft lengths of
rebar. So far (really) we have been able to walk up the tower part
way and slide an homebuilt a-frame support underneath the tower. This
puts the top of the tower just high enough that we can mount the beam
pointing straight up (Here in Massachusetts we just figure west is best
- HI). Stepladders become very handy for this stage. We don't use
rotors as they seem to cost more in play time than we what we would gain
in contacts. We originally pulled them upright with a truck and a block
and tackle. The past two years we have a member with a winch running on
12 V that we used, and that has made the job easier (and probably quicker)
The gain is not in setup time. We never seem to lack for help at
setup. But, as I'm sure you know, at takedown, it is a different story
altogether. Oh yes, We use a 50 ft push up mast (although this year we
only went up 40 ft) and mount the 40 and 80 inverted v's 90 Degrees apart.
With the tri-plexer, that gives us an antenna for each of the contest
bands. Just to be fair, I am just reporting this. I can't take credit
for the layout or support choices, although I did make the A-frame
supports.
PS When you walk up a 50 ft mast, it does get a little, or maybe a lot
wiggly. This is where you need kids that think this is a neat thing to do.
73,
John / WA1JG
On 7/19/2012 8:40 PM, Stuart Rohre wrote:
John, very interesting about your FD set up to use minimum of antenna
supports.
We had an 88 foot doublet so that we could do verious bands for the SSB
guys. And, I elected to use only a 20 foot sip up mast to make erection
safer for our aging crew. It was as easy an antenna raising as ever we
did. The proof was in how well the ivnerted doublet worked at only 20
foot, but in an open area. We might try 30 feet next year, but probably
should practice raising that. 20 you can walk up without it bending too
much. I am leery of walking up a 30, and would try to raise it from 10
foot up a study ladder. We are lucky to have a lightweight ladder that
can be bucked by one study person, or put up as an A frame ladder and
again bucked by one.
Yes, having been a fireman and participated in a "church raise"
(straight up) of an early aluminum ladder, (built like a battle ship, 40
feet tall extended). You do that with six very trust worthy guys,
robust in their ability to hang onto the guy lines and the base of the
ladder, while the sixth one pulls the raising halyard.
-Stuart Rohre
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