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Tower of Power

DIY Scaffold Tower; an N4YOT Project

Date – Feb 10, 2023

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Presentation Contents

  • INTRO
  • Antenna History at QTH
  • HOA Implications
  • Project “Meat”
  • Pictures and Some “Narration” Thereof
  • Summary/Lessons Learned
  • Questions/Comments

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INTRO

  • DE Pete – N4YOT
  • 1st Licensed in 1969 – WN3LSG
  • Moved south to AL (from PA) in Oct, 1983 – Been here ever since
  • As with most hams, life got in the way a time or two, but no more
  • Like most hams, I had challenges and experiments in this great hobby
  • I want to share one of those stories with you….

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Antenna History at Current QTH

  • I live in an HOA community here in Trussville
  • No Battle wanted with the HOA, but I did want to use antennas
  • Erection of a G5RV, Worked well at HF
  • No Complaints, but VHF and UHF bands need different antennas
  • Eggbeaters on house highest roof ridge, then Scorpion- 88, Cubex Quad in attic
  • Quad worked OK but some bad spots with AC/Heat ducts and equipment caused some problems
  • Antennas REALLY belong OUTSIDE

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HOA Implications

  • I had been lucky with antennas to that point but pushing the envelope was not wise.
  • Decided to contact HOA and try to work a deal. Expected a fight.
  • Would be a considerable investment of time, $, and effort so I did not want to have to undo a big project
  • Long story short, HOA approved my plan – one with options to camouflage the tower if necessary.
  • I went forward with my plan

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Project “Meat”

  • Commercial quality Mason scaffold
  • 60’ tall, Guyed at 20’, 40’, 55’, and 60’
  • Jin pole use to hoist all individual pieces up as needed
  • Built on concrete pad with ~ 1 CU YD of 4,000 PSI concrete (qty of 58 80 lb bags)
  • Local HS advanced math/science class declined opportunity to review my plan for build
  • Ladders between 20’ sections to make eventual routine tower climbing easy
  • Lots of detail is available for anyone wanting that

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Initial Tower Concept

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Pre-Slab in the Woods

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Typical Slab corner

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Ya thinK Concrete Pad Will Ever Break ?

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Ham Shack

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Ham Shack w/Early Tower Prep PIC

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Ham Shack, Other Side

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Ham Shack, Back

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Pad Poured, Cured, and 1 Section

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2 Sections Erected

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Ridge I am Attempting to Clear

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3 Sections Erected

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3 Sections Erected - New Angle

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It Grows

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More Growth

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More Yet

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Still Higher

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Different Angle PIC

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Have to get back to get it all, now

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Top Mechanism photo on the ground

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Way back Photo

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Another Way Back Photo

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Still Higher She Goes

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Top Guard Rail Section Installed

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Crank-Up mechanism On Top

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Getting Green Now

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Antennas Installed Up There

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Final Touch – Insurance Guy Wanted That

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Summary/Lessons Learned

  • Dealing with an HOA
  • Project total cost for materials - ~ $6,250
  • No risk of a concrete truck destroying driveway
  • Antennas are up over 70’- clear of trees/foliage
  • Extended VHF and UHF coverage in all directions
  • New home for Beacon and additional antenna/s
  • Lots of good memories from the build activity
  • Glad I did the ladder thing
  • As with baseball pitch, antennas belong HIGH and OUTSIDE

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Questions/Comments ?