• Tower Construction at N4GI 2005

    • 100' of Rohn 45G

    Laying out the base. I used grade stakes, a cardboard jig, and 75' pieces of string.

    The start of one anchor hole. I dug all three (3' X 4' X ~5' deep) myself the last two weekends in May.

    Finished base hole (2.5' X 2.5' X 5'). The white stuff in the bottom is about 6" of drainage gravel. Temporary rope guys hold tower plumb.

    Finishing the anchor holes, installing rebar (rebar was cut/bent to order by a local building supply joint). The anchors are Rohn GAC34.

    Concrete pump in place

    Concrete truck arrives 6/8/05(the guy said culvert is no problem!)

    Filling the holes with concrete. Despite 10 inches of rain during the week, there was no water in the holes.

    Finishing the base

    W4HY supervising me while I made sure the thing was straight up and down. K4WSB also came out to observe (he took this photo). Everything was poured and the truck left in 40 minutes.

    Shackles and turnbuckles attached to equalizer plates

    I used 5/16" ehs for leaders, since I had a bunch of it and some extra PLP grips. I left 2' of space between grips for a LOOS guage.

    First 20' up, temporary 1/4" guys in place. Yes, the tower lies smack dab between two orange trees.

    Up to 40', first guy bracket and permanent HPTG6700I Phillystran(r) guys in place at 32 feet.

    After a slight delay (backordered Radian BPL45G which delayed bolt shipment) I'm up to 60' on 7/19/05. Still no pictures of me in the air, I can't hold the camera and stack sections at the same time!

    70'....

    80'

    90' This was the only section I needed to use the TowerJack on.

    100'

    Top plate and top guys in place with the assistance of W4HY and W1GUD.

    All guys attached to the equalizer plates.

    Top half of the tower. The mast is being held up temporarily by the TB3 in the top plate. Time for antennas.

    Antenna staging ... A garage full of aluminum.

    Assembled yagis moved to the yard.

    40 and top 20 bolted in.

    40, both 20's, top 15, and 10 in place 9/18/05. Waiting on some parts for the sidemount and rotor rehab.

    Rotor for top 15 and 10 in place, everything connected and ready to go.