GUYED TOWER INSTALLATION TIPS - K7NV

1 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.

2 Below are Mark's comments from his website. ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- GUYED TOWER TOPIC SUMMARY - Still under 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.

3 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 .

4 ". **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.

5 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.

6 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 - ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- 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.

7 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 73, Kurt, K7NV. GUYED TOWER TOPIC SUMMARY. GUIDES 7. TOWER CONSTRUCTION GUIDES 7. TOWER ENGINEERING GUIDES 7. LIGHTNING PROTECTION AND GROUNDING GUIDES 7.

8 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.

9 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.

10 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.