If you have a ham radio antenna and you are looking to crank up the power, you will need to be sure to make a few important decisions. You will want to choose the right type of tower for your needs and be sure to properly align it. Then, you will also need to figure out how to correctly tension the guy wires and correct any alignment problems on the ground.

Wind pressure on towers and antennas

There are many factors to consider when it comes to tower and antenna installation. Among them is the wind pressure. This can be a major concern for those installing a free standing crank up Tower. However, there are a few simple things that can help you make an informed decision.

The first step is to determine the "fastest mile" wind speed. It is not the peak of the wind speed as observed by an anemometer, but the average speed over a single mile of a given wind.

The other thing to look at is the drag coefficient. The coefficient is the combination of the surface area of the antenna and the force that it will push against it. You can use a variety of techniques to find this information. For instance, you can check out the Electronic Industries Assoc. - which developed a structural standard for antenna supporting structures and towers - or your local building code.

Another important thing to remember is that the formula for calculating the wind load is different in each case. Generally, the formula is F = A x P x Cd. In other words, it is a simple equation that includes the three components of the wind load.

Several other methods can be found, but they are likely to give you different results. One such method involves calculating the average wind velocity and then summing the resulting values. If you need more detailed analysis, you may need to employ a structural engineer.

Correcting alignment problems on the ground

If you haven't been following the ham radio scene, you might be surprised to find that the tower is not a static thing. While there is no magic formula to building a tower, there are some pitfalls to avoid. The best way to get started is to find someone who knows what they are doing. This will save you both time and money in the long run.

To get the best signal possible, you'll need a good ground system. You can't just dump your antenna on the ground; it will do little to improve your reception. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to boost your signal strength.

First, orient your antenna to the right. In other words, flip your boom sections around. Now, you have to be careful not to crush the tubes. But it's worth the trouble.

Next, attach the main connector for your ground system. It's a good idea to use a good quality cable. Make sure it's clean and free of corrosion. Aside from being the harbinger of a dampened reception, this also lets some energy pass through.

Finally, you'll need to make sure the main connection is as close to the base of the antenna as possible. This is where the t-brace comes in. With the T-brace on the antenna, the weight of the coax cables is not supported.

This makes it the perfect place to correct alignment problems. You can also test the strength of the guy wires. As mentioned, 90% of ham towers use 3/16" EHS steel guy wires. They do not have to be that strong.

For all its flaws, the tower is an important part of a ham radio station's infrastructure. Make sure you do your part to ensure the long term health of your tower.

Guy wire tension is critical to the tower's ability to handle wind stresses

It is important to check the guy wire tension on your tower in order to ensure its stability and strength. Failure to do so can result in wind damage and other problems.

Guy wires are used to support various types of structures. These include power systems, electrical poles, ship masts, radio masts, and utility poles. They are also used for stabilizing aerial masts and towers.

The height of the structure and the speed of the wind can affect the amount of tension required. To check the appropriate tension, use a dynamometer or a come-along. This device is a hand-operated device that can be used to pull the wires and increase or decrease the tension.

In order to determine the optimal amount of tension, a professional must analyze the structure and the size of the wires. Once the ideal tension is found, the guy wires must be attached at the proper location on the structure.

If the guy wires are too tight, the structure can buckle. In addition, the guy wires can vibrate during heavy winds, creating fatigue and mechanical failure. Ideally, the pretension should be within 15% to 30% of the bearing capacity of the structure.

For larger structures, a tangent intercept method can be used. This involves calculating the tension by sighting up the guy wire and analyzing its deflection. However, this technique requires specialized training.

Another option is to use the pulse method. It measures the time it takes the wire to go through a certain number of pulses. A trained expert should perform this accurately to ensure optimal tension.

Before constructing a structure, it is important to consider the strength of the guy wires and other components. You should also follow the construction standards of your city.

Do what the manufacturer DOESN'T SAY

If you are thinking about building a tower for your ham radio antenna, there are a few things you should know. Many zoning laws prohibit hams from putting up towers. There are also deed restrictions and private contracts. But most court decisions around PRB-1 pre-emption have been favorable to small antenna installations.

The state of North Carolina has a law that prevents local ordinances from prohibiting amateur radio antennas. It also doesn't allow restrictive covenants. Some hams don't want to risk a squabble with their neighbors. However, neighborhood associations can be powerful. They can also be averse to anything that could affect the value of their homes. You should always do your research.

Most hams don't have the time or the expertise to build their own ham radio tower. One solution is to hire a ham-friend to do the work for you. Often, ham-friends can be a lot of fun, and they can help you work on your project over the weekend or even a couple of evenings after work. Plus, they can throw a big BBQ after you're done.

Another solution is to find an extreme antenna farm. W3LPL and W8JI have been around ham radio for decades. They give annual tours of their extensive antenna farms. And they've got a 160 meter antenna that's one of the largest in ham radio today.

Even if you do decide to go the ham-friend route, you should still make sure you have insurance. Whether you're installing a ham radio antenna on a tower or in your home, you could be the only communication link in a disaster. So, it's important to protect yourself, as well as your friends and family.

Ben Stone offers unguyed and guyed tower plans

Ben Stone offers a variety of unguyed and guyed tower plans for ham radio antenna. These can be used to meet UHF and VHF requirements. He has also developed enhanced signal reach antennas for amateur radio enthusiasts.

In addition to being durable, these are self-supporting. With no unsightly guy wires, these lightweight, rust-free towers offer excellent performance in a wide variety of wind load conditions. His self-supporting feature is a big plus for the avid radio enthusiast, as it allows for more efficient antenna placement. If you need additional stability, however, you can opt to attach temporary guying.

One of the more unusual types of guyed towers is the partially guyed tower. This type features a basement, usually concrete, which supports a guyed mast. It's typically used to provide additional height for high TV and FM transmission towers, but can also be used to upgrade a small, stable tower.

Of course, the biggest plus of a guyed tower is its shear strength, which makes it more capable of supporting the weight of a radio antenna. In fact, you can even use a guyed mast to provide a mast radiator antenna, which has a unique shape that helps to keep the antenna from buckling. Additionally, a guyed mast is often used for meteorological measurements, such as astronomical observations, or to support a horizontally spun wire antenna.

However, you should be sure to consider the integration of the tower and mast in all aspects of construction and maintenance. This will ensure that you get the most out of your investment.