HAM Shack/Antenna Tower

Creator: Omegix Status: Your Status Born On: 16:38, 4 February 2015 (CST) Last Updated: 13:15, 31 August 2016 (CDT)

Non-Tower Options

• Roof Mast

Telescoping Mast

Current Mast

• http://www.mgs4u.com/Antenna-MK-8-HD.htm
  • It is important that each tube not be extended farther than 12 inches from the bottom of each section. As per the instructions, these are absolute minimums
  • The screws on the quik-clamps are reverse threaded
  • The clamps were glued on by greg and jeff with two part epoxy
  • Only one guy ring was purchased, for the thinnest section of the pole. It is not yet known if it is needed.
  • Jeff has hardcopy of Original instructions (kept at his office).

Alternative Designs

• http://telescopingantenna.blogspot.com/
• https://sites.google.com/site/g1hznhamradio/homebrew-radio-mast

Tilting Mast

• 2 x 1-1/2" Steel Flange ($9.30 / ea)
• 2 x 1-1/2" Steel Nipple, 3" ($9.30 / ea)
• 2 x 1-1/2" Steel Nipple, 6" (~$12 / ea)
• 1 x 1-1/2" Tee ($8.57 / ea)
• 2 x 1-1/2" Elbow ($8.32 / ea)
• Plate (Free)
• 4 x Grounding Rods (?)

Total: $86.41

Base Options

Design considerations

• We can't drill holes in the building
• Want something we can leave erected 24/7
• Can't be higher than 20' above property (city ordinance, needs source)

Options

• Heavy Concrete Pour
  • Cons: Need landlord approval, cost prohibitive

• Semi-permanat tripod
  • Description from Darryl: Since you are leasing no concrete could be used, but maybe three long and stout ground-stakes might be driven and bolted to the tower legs. If you do this it would be best to set the bottom section to a well-painted steel plate at least 1/4 inch thick with holes for the ground-stakes. I have done this a couple of times. I got the steel plate at Service Steel at 4208 E Schrimsher Ln SW, Huntsville, AL 3580. They cut my plate to the rectangular size requested. If you make a stable and level base and attach the three legs securely to the ground-stakes, it should not need any guy-lines.
  • Pros: More Portable than a concrete pour.
  • Cons: Easier to steal
• Military Surplus Pole Kit
  • Cons: Easiest to steal

• Sleeves Magnetically Mounted To Sheet metal Wall of Building
  • Cons: Darryl (has mounted several antennas) has said that it's doubtful that the magnetic force thin sheet metal could provide would hold the tower up when strong winds hit it.

• Non-penetrating Roof Saddle
  • Cons: Good for mounting an antenna to, but not a mast.

Metal Tower

Overview

This is a planning page for putting up the Antenna Tower at the Make Shop

Instructional Resources

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LwXpyhieLw

Parts Needed

• Hinged Base Plate: https://www.protelecomsupply.com/rohn-products-llc-25g-hinged-base-plate ~$350
  • This is expensive, can we get someone to weld a custom one together?
  • Called Gigaparts, they don't sell these, but recommended MFJ in Starkville, MS.
    • Have emailed in a request --Omegix (talk) 16:55, 4 February 2015 (CST)
    • MFJ Says to try Texas Towers, and that baseplates are typically sold with the tower
• Concrete (likely to be purchased by a concrete supplier)
  • "$90/cubic Yd + fees for loads under 4 cY. and they do not dig holes or any other kind of site setup just show up, pour concrete, and leave my cement mixer is a 1.25 cubic Ft mixer so you'd have to load it 21 times to make a single cubic Yd and the ham tower will probably need 2 cu Yds also plus the cost of dry concrete, of course." ~Enabrintain
• Shovels for digging the hole
• Rebar
• Wood for hanging the base place rods in the setting concrete
• Base Plate bolts: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/5017470159642663498?safe=strict&sclient=psy-ab&q=ham+radio+hinge+base+plate&oq=ham+radio+hinge+base+plate&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.85142067,d.eXY&biw=1680&bih=939&tch=1&ech=1&psi=XZvSVJKsIIyqgwTe8oO4Cw.1423088478217.3&prds=paur:ClkAsKraX9bj71jeeL1S1XzgS8kKSlzpdgsdMS2CmcvKSwYKyZeP90On-EBgmYVPRsmyXOdMl4BrLeHDrf62vID_rWP7SzStB9y-0gG04FRcqBArlLJEVBOgNhIZAFPVH7169tvGCn28Wql0GPcCuV5CTiNaaw&ei=apvSVIAtw6WDBOukg9gK&ved=0CHMQpiswAg ~$30
  • if we had something that could bend metal bolts, it seems like we could make these ourselves
• Hand crank wench
• Wire for wenching the tower up and down

Capabilities Desired

• Needs to be tilt-able so we can easily service the equipment mounted on the tower without climbing it
• Needs to be semi-portable, meaning that if we ever move we can unbolt the tower and take it with us.
• Electric wench would be preferrable for taking it up and down, but we could probably do alright with a hand crank.