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.

Driving those ground rods down at least 6 inches below grade with a power hammer.

The #4 solid wire and the copper strap is also run to the house electrical ground and into the ham shack entrance.

Director element EHU and element return fixture.

The tower base hole. 2x4's above the forms hold up and align the top rebar grid. There is also lower grid sitting on concrete blocks. The tower base that will be submerged in concrete floats in the center of both the top and bottom rebar grids. Temporary guy ropes hold the tower in perfect plumb. Grandson Adam approves.

The break wasn't so bad. The mess was created when the sprinkler controller decided to turn the water on, washed out the far bank and filled the hole. Duhhhh.

A better view of the rebar cage.

Fritz loves to ride in the cart as Steve (WA7DUH) goes to the shop to pick up SteppIR antenna parts.

Yikes-- hit the sprinkler pipes. Anyone know a good way to find these sub-surface?

Basic process when digging all the holes-- dirt goes in the cart, Linda (WB7CNV) hauls away.

One of three ground tower ground rods. The are each connected to a tower leg with both a #4 solid copper wire (per NEC) PLUS a 1 1/2 inch low RF impedance copper strap. Once connections are made, the ground rod is then driven down so it is at least 6 inches below grade.

WB7CNV (Linda) bows properly to the tower gods.

Hygain T2XD rotator mounted on the hazer.

Linda WB7CNV cut about 450 tie wires for the tower base and 3 guy station rebar cages.

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

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.