Thursday, March 12, 2009
Finishing construction of the 26ft tower
The tower and quad were installed in the summer of 2005 and it has withstood many 100 mph wind storms over 4 years and never once complained. We live on the border with Canada and get ravaged with many 100 mph wind storms each year. I was amazed that the tower dosnt even qwiver during the big windstorms. The added section to turn it into a 26ft tower is very sturdy. I had expected the tower might have at least a little sway during the big winds. But it stays as sturdy as a rock. Although I did place 5/8" threaded rod tie downs rather than using lag bolts. I also grounded the tower using a 20ft length of copper flex pipe as shown in pictures below. The ground connects to an 8ft ground rod placed directly under the tower.
Converting the 17ft tower to 26ft
Converting the basic 17ft tower to 26ft is more than just adding a few minor steps. It requires adding two levels of "X" Braces inside the tower. The lower added section is very heavy duty and uses heavy metal angle braces instead of the tubular braces on the upper 17.5 basic tower.
The below series of pictures shows the inside X braces and how I attached a chain hoist for raising the tower with a 2 ele 5 band Quad attached. I modified the feet so that it would tip up. In the basic configuration its designed to be lifted to your roof using a crane. I elected to install it on the 50ft front deck instead. It was easy to reinforce the lower portion of the deck to handle the added weight. Lots better than having to mess with the homes rafters.
The below series of pictures shows the inside X braces and how I attached a chain hoist for raising the tower with a 2 ele 5 band Quad attached. I modified the feet so that it would tip up. In the basic configuration its designed to be lifted to your roof using a crane. I elected to install it on the 50ft front deck instead. It was easy to reinforce the lower portion of the deck to handle the added weight. Lots better than having to mess with the homes rafters.
Assembling the basic 17.5ft tower
Assembling the two sections of the 17ft roof tower is fairly easy. But it goes a lot faster if you use a power nut driver. The hundreds of bolts take forever when using a manual
operated socket set. I elected to place the piece parts on two 6ft long tables. That way you wont have to be bending over on your knees. The assembled 17ft tower is so light I can pick it up with one hand. Its a very good basic 17.5ft roof tower. Lightweight and easy to tip up. But I have a few suggestions to beef up the configuraton.
The only thing I dont care for is the use of tubular braces on the lower section. It would have been better if they had used angle metal braces on the lower section. Another thing is the ladder steps on one side only. It would have been better if the ladder steps were provided on all 4 sides. I suspect you could order it that way. And also ask them to include enough angle metal so you can make your own angle metal braces rather than using the tubular braces on the lower section. If you go with the angle metal braces on the lower section and have foot steps on all 4 sides, then I could be confident in climbing the 17.5ft tower. But I would be rather uncomfortable climbing it otherwise. If you were to accidentally step on one of the tubular braces, it could weaken the structure enough to be dangerous. It's important to note its not recommended to be climbing it to begin with. But there have been many who have -- at their own risk. The 17ft tower is so easy to tip over, it would be best to tip it over for any antenna maintenance. I elected to use the add on section to convert it to a 26ft tower. More on that later.
operated socket set. I elected to place the piece parts on two 6ft long tables. That way you wont have to be bending over on your knees. The assembled 17ft tower is so light I can pick it up with one hand. Its a very good basic 17.5ft roof tower. Lightweight and easy to tip up. But I have a few suggestions to beef up the configuraton.
The only thing I dont care for is the use of tubular braces on the lower section. It would have been better if they had used angle metal braces on the lower section. Another thing is the ladder steps on one side only. It would have been better if the ladder steps were provided on all 4 sides. I suspect you could order it that way. And also ask them to include enough angle metal so you can make your own angle metal braces rather than using the tubular braces on the lower section. If you go with the angle metal braces on the lower section and have foot steps on all 4 sides, then I could be confident in climbing the 17.5ft tower. But I would be rather uncomfortable climbing it otherwise. If you were to accidentally step on one of the tubular braces, it could weaken the structure enough to be dangerous. It's important to note its not recommended to be climbing it to begin with. But there have been many who have -- at their own risk. The 17ft tower is so easy to tip over, it would be best to tip it over for any antenna maintenance. I elected to use the add on section to convert it to a 26ft tower. More on that later.
Rotator plate mods for Yaesu 800SDX rotator
The below pictures show how the rotator and thrust bearing were added to the tower. The slotted holes didnt line up correctly to the Yaesu 800 rotator so I had to enlarge the slots slightly and also enlarge the mounting holes for the small bolts at the ends. As shown in the below series of pictures. The Yaesu rotator and the Yaesu thrust bearing are two outstanding products that work really well on this 4 sided roof tower.
After I modified the holes in the two mounting plates, I attached the rotator and thrust bearing and detached the upper section of the tower. So that the top section of the tower could be placed vertically.. And then you can line up the rotator to be in perfect alignment with the thrust bearing and your 8ft mast. All done at ground level. Getting everything "level" and in pefect alignment before tightening down the bolts on the rotator and thrust bearing. Taking great care at this step will provide a lots of rewards later. As lowering the tower and antenna to repair a faulty alignment later would be real chore.
After I modified the holes in the two mounting plates, I attached the rotator and thrust bearing and detached the upper section of the tower. So that the top section of the tower could be placed vertically.. And then you can line up the rotator to be in perfect alignment with the thrust bearing and your 8ft mast. All done at ground level. Getting everything "level" and in pefect alignment before tightening down the bolts on the rotator and thrust bearing. Taking great care at this step will provide a lots of rewards later. As lowering the tower and antenna to repair a faulty alignment later would be real chore.
The slotted holes didnt line up correctly to the Yaesu 800 rotator bolt pattern. So I had to modify the plate as shown in the below pictures. It simply required increasing the size of the holes. The Yaseu rotator and the Yaesu Thrust bearing are two outstanding products. Highly recommended.
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