Building a Homebrew crank up tower

[420Snowman]

I am thinking of building a crank up tower for my base at home. I have my Imax on the roof about 30 feet up to the base of the antenna and it works ok, but I think I can get better. Its also making my wife rather nervous when the lightning starts rolling in and I would like to be able to crank down the tower in adverse weather. I am thinking of a 50 foot tower when extended, that would bring me 20 feet higher than I am currently and that should make a large differernce in my RX and TX.

If anyone has ever done this or has any plans for one, or even knows of one for sale, please let me know.

Snowman

[Sporty Mike]

There are lot's of plans online to build your own "push up pole", and they can go 50 feet. And if you make it out of EMT conduit, and attach it to a concreted base you shouldn't have to guy it. But I've never searched for plans for a "crank up" type tower. It would be alot more mechanicaly involved I know, as well as expensive.


Mike

[231]

Yea, there are a few good designs online for tubular...which is what I have. There probably is for lattice type too.

Good luck.

[420Snowman]

I will look for the tubular "push up pole" design, that would be fine with me....

Snowman

['Doc]

I think you will find that building any type of tower is a bit more involved than it seems. They may appear to be 'EMT' conduit, but they are definitely not. Not if they are going to carry any load, or be exposed to any fairly 'bad' weather. Especially when using the common type 'pipes' found with commercial towers, the cost goes up very quickly, which says nothing about making the thing 'crank-up'. Think 'big'.
I'd also advise checking local ordinances before you start! You may not believe some of the things that are required, or not allowed in some places. Here, if a tower is over 60 feet tall, it's considered a 'commercial' tower and there's a yearly 'fee'. (And it would HAVE to be a commercial tower to afford that 'fee'!) None of which touches on the safety aspects. It can get complicated real quick.)
Good luck!
- 'Doc

[Slim Pickins]

It may surprise you if you look at the price of the Rohn push up masts. Not as bad as you might think. And, already made, ready to install.

[721HACKSAW]

Using light guage conduit (EMT) might be alright for a simple mast pole but it is not designed to take the place of steel tubing. The manufactured crank-up towers may seem expensive at first glance but all the engineering has been done for you, it will work the first time, and if installed properly and maintained it will last for years. Just lowering a tower doesn't mean it won't get hit by lightning either, the design of these towers is for ease of equipment change, not having to climb so far!! LOL What ever you do research carefully and be safe.

[420Snowman]

Will do fellas, thanks for the input. I did some more looking around and I did find that buying one is not as bad as I had thought. I was looking at some crank ups that were in the 10 grand range!! YIKES!!! not for this ol 11 meter guy!!! I do have lightning protection in place, grounded from the bracket to a 8 ft ground rod and a lightning arrestor in place grounded to that same rod. Its just kinda freaky when a "big" one rolls in and the lightning is crashing all around, of course you are thinking "this is it, its gonna get ugly"......

Snowman

[Punkin Head]

If you want to build a tower, altho buying the push up mast would be cheaper, here are some plans that I have saved for when and if I ever get somewhere I can have a tower. its not a very difficult build but will cost some for the materials needed. [Please login or register to view this link]