Stackin' Tower

Marc N4UFP

Marc working on section at 30'

We have the tower completely stacked! This is a big milestone in this project and I owe a lot of people a big thanks. So here's what went down... The month of February was pretty much a bust; we had a weeks worth of snow, my mom was in the hospital for 3 weeks and it was cold. As you may have read in the last post, I was able to assemble the Mosley PRO-67B and test it. I purchased a Rohn TB-3 thrust bearing, Times Microwave LMR-400 Ultra Flex and some heavy duty rotor cable which came from The Wireman . Last Saturday, I went down and got Buddy, N4BY's gin pole, ropes and belt and rigged the tower for Sunday. Marc, N4UFP and Morgan, KB4GFJ came over and we were able to get 3 sticks up in a total time of about 90 minutes. Marc was on the tower and its a lot of work on one person up there. I do have a work platform for the Rohn 45G that we used and was very helpful. Its a lot easier on your feet and back when you have something solid to stand on rather than the small rung. Last week I was in Quincy, IL for a training call at Harris Broadcast. Cool place and class...Needless to say, nothing got done during that week. 

N4ZVN & N4BY

However, this weekend Ed, N4ZVN and Buddy, N4BY came by along with Ed's son Christien and my neighbor David and we were able to get the remaining 2 sections up. Ed wanted to pull the top section up with the rotor and mast in place. I was able to get the bearing and rotor installed and tested out, but we ended up pulling the stainless mast up separate. I had a pulley at the bottom of the tower to allow us to pull back and away from the tower rather then be right below the section going up. This way is much safer and a little easier by having an two pulleys. We pulled right down the front side yard and each section went up with relative ease and right onto the lower section.

I'm starting to get excited

 

Many many thanks to N4UFP Marc, Morgan KB4GFJ, Ed N4ZVN and his son, N4BY and my neighbor David.  Without all of my great friends, This project would not be happening.  I am very great full for their help and support!  Thanks guys!

The next post will be when we install the antenna and I may have some great video footage of it if everything works out.

73, AE4VJ Brad