Albums: WA7DUH And WB7CNV Tower Construction

WA7DUH And WB7CNV Tower Construction

Photo essay of tower project at the station of Linda WB7CNV and Steve WA7DUH. They live just outside of the Richland and West Richland city limits in Benton County. Project is to initially erect a 65 ft guyed tower, but to design it for 75 ft or higher. Benton County has an ordinance controlling "communications facilities" (BCC 11.65) which includes "communication towers and antennas." Many of the requirements are exempted for amateur radio towers and antennas not exceeding 65 ft.
138 images Submitted by WA7DUH Steve St... on Sat, 08/04/2012 - 11:19am

P1020761.JPG

There is a lot of electronics and relays that go into this antenna. Pictured is Gary W7TYQ that came up to help from Yreka CA.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:02am by WA7DUH Steve St... 508 visits

P1020759.JPG

Control lines from each active element and the coax switching relays come together into junction terminals.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:02am by WA7DUH Steve St... 517 visits

P1020758.JPG

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:02am by WA7DUH Steve St... 568 visits

P1020757.JPG

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:02am by WA7DUH Steve St... 560 visits

P1020755.JPG

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:02am by WA7DUH Steve St... 722 visits

P1020754.JPG

A very thick polifin heat shrink tube locks each joint into place.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:02am by WA7DUH Steve St... 545 visits

P1020752.JPG

Although not called for in the assembly manual, on recommendation from Brian W7BJN, a glue bead is placed at each nesting tube junction to prevent them from sliding back in over time. Constant movement in the wind at the top of a tower can cause them to work in according to Brian. Made sense to this crew.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:01am by WA7DUH Steve St... 596 visits

P1020751.JPG

Dave W7DJE helps measure out an element tube. These nesting tubes are pulled out, and the ends are trimmed to length with a hacksaw.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:01am by WA7DUH Steve St... 479 visits

P1020745.JPG

OK, how to these hollow fiberglass tubes go together??

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:01am by WA7DUH Steve St... 587 visits

P1020742.JPG

All the cabling prior to clean up.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:01am by WA7DUH Steve St... 445 visits

P1020741.JPG

Coax switching unit. All three active elements may be driven.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:01am by WA7DUH Steve St... 556 visits

P1020738.JPG

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:01am by WA7DUH Steve St... 663 visits

P1020737.JPG

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:01am by WA7DUH Steve St... 564 visits

P1020734.JPG

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:01am by WA7DUH Steve St... 474 visits

P1020733.JPG

Installing the driven element return fixture.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:00am by WA7DUH Steve St... 552 visits

P1020731.JPG

Director element EHU and element return fixture.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:00am by WA7DUH Steve St... 702 visits

P1020730.JPG

Distance between this driven element EHU and the element return fixture is critical. Houston, we have a problem. The driven element is centered on the mast, which means it will loop around the tower. This will cause great difficulty with the tower guy lines.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:00am by WA7DUH Steve St... 441 visits

P1020729.JPG

Both the EHU and Element Return fixture must be leveled, then torqued to specifications.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:00am by WA7DUH Steve St... 476 visits

P1020728.JPG

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:00am by WA7DUH Steve St... 525 visits

P1020727.JPG

The reflector EHU and element return fixture mounted on boom.

0 / 0
Uploaded on 09/25/2012 - 11:00am by WA7DUH Steve St... 514 visits