GUYED TOWER INSTALLATION TIPS

Introduction

This document is a compilation of written commentaries by many people. As such, it is meant to be a reference resource to find the opinions and experiences of our peers about topics related to communication towers. It is not an ultimately authoritative compendium of all knowledge on the subjects, so care should be exercised in applying its contents.

The original editor, Mark Lowell, N1LO, started this collection of tower related information by painstakingly sifting through the archives of the TowerTalk reflector. Below are Mark's comments from his website.

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GUYED TOWER TOPIC SUMMARY - Still under construction.. Version: 01-19-2000

Check for the latest update The existence, accuracy, content and organization of any section may change at any time as new discoveries, understandings, and concepts arise. I add new sections whenever appropriate.

By Mark D. Lowell, N1LO. First posted in November 1998

This document is a series of notes that I have made concerning guyed towers and installation that started after reading and digesting the message archives of the TowerTalk forum sponsored by the folks at . The archive is located at:



I have also combined ideas from other readings and personal experiences as well. I have paraphrased some subjects after reading the general consensus of many messages. In other cases, the originators of these messages have already addressed the topic in the most eloquent form, and I have simply copied their messages here.

I have concentrated mainly on subjects relating to standard, Rohn, guyed towers, and not crankup or self-supporting types. I most whole-heartedly agree with an opinion once expressed on the TowerTalk reflector: "There is nothing stronger, safer, or more cost effective than a good guyed tower."

***WARNING*** Tower climbing can be hazardous to your health! You can hurt yourself and others very easily while engaging in climbing and rigging. The information here is provided on an as-is basis and, naturally, I can assume no responsibility for your safety, or how you interpret or implement the techniques I have described here. Do not perform a procedure that you are not comfortable with. Think ahead, get familiar with all of your materials, and teach the people assisting you about the methods and dangers. Again, in all matters, *you* are the one who is the most in control of your own safety. A complete understanding of both the risks you take, and the solutions available to you, are the best tools at your disposal. I bid you safe journeys. ***WARNING*** This is a work in progress, growing as I gather information from individual postings by experienced professionals and amateurs in many walks of life, from all over the globe, and from my own personal experiences. I present it for personal use and benefit of all who read it and find something

of value. I have nothing to gain from this except the joy of learning itself, and the satisfaction of helping others. And, of course, it will help me put up my own tower!

If this information has helped you, I would enjoy receiving a QSL card or email from you.

Mark, N1LO - n1lo@

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Pat Thurman, K7KR, added considerable effort to take the original plain text version and convert it to .PDF format with hyperlinks to make it a very user friendly resource.

Both N1LO and K7KR have given permission for their work to be made available on the K7NV web site. Kudos go to Mark and Pat for doing such a fine job, and THANKS!

It is my hope that this document continues to grow in its scope and depth of collected knowledge about tower related things. Those wishing to contribute more knowledge to this collection may contact k7nv@

73, Kurt, K7NV

GUYED TOWER TOPIC SUMMARY

GUIDES

7

TOWER CONSTRUCTION GUIDES

7

TOWER ENGINEERING GUIDES

7

LIGHTNING PROTECTION AND GROUNDING GUIDES

7

CLIMBING GUIDES

9

TOWER TYPE SELECTION

9

BRACKET SUPPORTS

9

BASES

9

SELECTING BASE TYPE

9

DIGGING THE HOLE

10

THE RE-BAR CAGE

11

THE CONCRETE

12

CONCRETE DO'S AND DON'TS

13

CONCRETE STRENGTH

14

MAST AND BOOM MATERIAL SELECTION

14

PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

15

STRENGTH

15

STIFFNESS AND ELASTICITY

18

THRUST BEARINGS

21

PROTECTING THRUST BEARINGS FROM SNOW AND ICE

21

ANCHORS

22

SOIL MECHANICS PRIMER

22

ANCHOR TYPES

23

SCREW ANCHORS AND STRENGTHS

23

INSTALLATION OF SCREW ANCHORS

24

GUY CABLES

24

GUY CABLES ACT LIKE SPRINGS

24

HOW GUY CABLES STABILIZE YOUR TOWER

24

ORIGIN OF THE 10% PRELOAD RULE

25

EFFECT OF GUY SIZE

25

TYPES

25

USING PREFORMED GUY GRIPS AND THIMBLES

28

TENSIONING

31

GUY TENSION MEASUREMENT

33

USING LOOS BRAND TENSION METERS FOR GUYS

33

CHECKING GUY TENSION BY COUNTING OSCILLATIONS

35

THERMAL EFFECTS ON GUY TENSION

36

MEASURING TOWER PLUMB

37

TEMPORARY GUYING

37

TEMPORARY GUYS FROM EHS

38

TEMPORARY GUYS USING ROPES

38

LIGHTNING ABATEMENT

39

LIGHTNING PROTECTION THEORY

39

HOMEBREW STATIC DISSIPATORS

40

GROUNDING FOR LIGHTNING PROTECTION

41

EXAMPLE TOWER GROUNDING METHOD FOR LIGHTNING PROTECTION

43

GROUNDING GUY CABLES

45

GROUNDING FEEDLINES

46

COMMERCIAL FEEDLINE GROUNDING CLAMPS

47

HOMEBREW FEEDLINE GROUNDING CLAMPS

47

ASSISTING FEEDLINE AND CABLE GROUNDING WITH CHOKE COILS

48

HOMEBREW GROUNDED ENTRANCE PANEL

48

GROUND ROD METAL SELECTION

51

SINKING GROUND RODS

52

IMPROVING GROUND ROD EFFECTIVENESS

52

CLIMBING GEAR

53

CLIMBING BELT

53

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT FALL ARREST

54

CLIMBING LANYARDS

55

CARABINERS

56

CLIMBING SAFELY WITH HARNESS AND LANYARDS

56

CARRYING TOOLS

58

HOMEBREW TOOL AND PART POUCHES

58

ROPES & KNOTS

58

MAKING YOUR OWN LANYARDS

59

COWTAILS LANYARD

59

POSITIONING LANYARD

60

CORROSION PREVENTION

60

DISSIMILAR METALS AND GALVANIC ACTION

60

CATHODIC PROTECTION

67

PROTECTING ANTENNAS FROM CORROSION

67

PROTECTING THREADED FASTENERS

68

THREAD LOCKING

70

WATERPROOFING CONNECTIONS

71

ACCESSORY MATERIALS AND SERVICES

73

INSULATING MATERIAL

73

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