Plans for my Tower Base - Feedback?

[IdahoPete]

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Looking for feed back. You can say I'm nuts also. Can't use standard bunker sized concrete base that so many recommend. Cannot be that invasive on the property where I live... so I need an alternative. This is a crank-up 60 ft plus telescoping, 4 section tower. It needs work, but in pretty good shape. Had a quazie engineer friend look at it, he said go for it.

[420Snowman]

Looks like a good plan, although there is one thing that jumps out at me that is not right.
It needs to be in Missouri dirt for that base to work right......*wink wink*....LOL


Snowman

[nutcracker]

I cant zoom to see the first pic real well but you dont need a huge base for a guyed tower. You could make a 2x2x3' base with hinge and that would work just fine. Most hinge plates I see for that size tower are pretty small and would fit on a 1.5' or 2' wide base. On an unguyed tower is where you need more, one mine I used about 1500 lbs of concrete at 3.5' deep and 3' wide.

[Slim Pickins]

All I would suggest is have your engineer friend figure out the wind load on your tower and antenna and calculate the weight you need for anchors on the guy wires. Oh yeah, and make sure that 1" all thread used for adjusting the base level is of sufficient hardness that the threads don't strip under the weight probably the ACME type thread would be best since it is a square cut and can support more weight(make sure you double nut it though). This base looks similar to some of the lighting bases we set up for construction use when I worked up north and we needed lights for most of the day in the winter.

Paul

[IdahoPete]

Barring no further input the project goes ahead. I'll post pics as the quest for higher air waves continues! Yeehaa!

[IdahoPete]

All I would suggest is have your engineer friend figure out the wind load on your tower and antenna and calculate the weight you need for anchors on the guy wires. Oh yeah, and make sure that 1" all thread used for adjusting the base level is of sufficient hardness that the threads don't strip under the weight probably the ACME type thread would be best since it is a square cut and can support more weight(make sure you double nut it though). This base looks similar to some of the lighting bases we set up for construction use when I worked up north and we needed lights for most of the day in the winter.

Paul

Your thoughts about the all thread is valid. Hardened Class 9 should do the trick. I am also adding a concrete support block under the main part of the base to eliminate or at least minimize flex in the structure. Wind load factor is a big issue her in south Idaho. Wind is almost constant in Magic Valley here, wind storms are 50 to 60 mph (and more in big one), and are common. Hence the idea of a crank up tower... I can lower it. It will be located next to a two story house 30 feet tall, so I have some wind break, at least at lower levels. A lot of work to do still! Will advise of progress.

[420Snowman]

I cant wait to see the progress as it get raised, I am curious to see your base design in the finished product, its a very cool mock up!!

Snowman

[721HACKSAW]

Have you seen the local Power Co. set a pole with guide wire/anchors? Around here they use long screw-in anchors that they run in with a big air powered motor, pretty impressive. These type of anchors are available for antenna installations and house trailer wind anchors.

[IdahoPete]

You mean like this?
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[420Snowman]

Thats the ones!!

Snowman

[IdahoPete]

I have guy wire anchors on my hardware list. Along with all the wire requirements... Long list!

[420Snowman]

I cant wait to see this thing up in the air!!!

Snowman

[IdahoPete]

After much deliberation on the liability and expense this venture involved... i decided not to continue. Going to sell the tower to regain my expense so far and work on other alternatives. My excitement is crushed but cooler heads prevail. Thx to all that contributed!!!!!!!!!

[420Snowman]

PM sent.

Snowman