On Feb 6, 3:29*pm, John Ferrell wrote:
A friend gave me a forty foot Utility pole. Since I am not a climber I
have not determined how to make the best of this in my continual
antenna tinkering. I keep coming back to the hazer transit method. The
device would be complicated by the fact that the pole is about 12
inches in diameter at the bottom and 6 inches at the top. I expect to
bury 5 feet of it. I hope to construct the device so that there is
NEVER a need to climb the pole. The galvanized wire rope on my Crank
up mast that I purchased in the late 1970's is still looking fine.

Any experience or ideas are appreciated!

BTW, Any idea why this tram mechanism is called a "hazer?"
John Ferrell W8CCW

I ve seen an antenna where a utility pole is used for the "crane" for
a foldover tower. I think that is the way I would go.

Jimmie

John, it will probably be easier [rather than redesigning either the pole, or a hazer] You can find plans for planting two sections of a powerpole, spaced slightly on each side of your pole. Those to be used as the 'base' for your pole to be sandwiched between. You want the base poles to be reasonably tall, to allow your's to be pulled to the vertical. You'll need substantial solid diameter rod, for your pole to pivot on. Don't forget to include a 'over-travel'
stop, and a means to secure your pole in place once swung up into vertical. There are photos of such antenna supports in Ham Radio references circa the 1930's and later. Remember you MUST periodically treat wood with anti-termite chemical. Approach your local telephone and/or electric companies for a source of pole material, and perhaps they'll even be able to place your base & swing-up section [for a fee ?]. All told, it might be more economical to buy a used tower in GOOD condition.

On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:03:58 +0000, 328X1
wrote:


John, it will probably be easier [rather than redesigning either the
pole, or a hazer] You can find plans for planting two sections of a
powerpole, spaced slightly on each side of your pole. Those to be used
as the 'base' for your pole to be sandwiched between. You want the base
poles to be reasonably tall, to allow your's to be pulled to the
vertical. You'll need substantial solid diameter rod, for your pole to
pivot on. Don't forget to include a 'over-travel'
stop, and a means to secure your pole in place once swung up into
vertical. There are photos of such antenna supports in Ham Radio
references circa the 1930's and later. Remember you MUST periodically
treat wood with anti-termite chemical. Approach your local telephone
and/or electric companies for a source of pole material, and perhaps
they'll even be able to place your base & swing-up section [for a fee
?]. All told, it might be more economical to buy a used tower in GOOD
condition.
Part of the problem here is that I failed to heed the old advice "Be
careful of what you wish for, you might get it!"

The pole was a gift from a friend in the construction business. I
never dreamed he would come up with it until one afternoon he showed
up with it at my house. I live in a rural setting with my house in a 3
acre field with trees down one side and across the back, a lane down
the other side. The house is set back 120 feet from the road. Being
zoned agriculture means pretty much free from regulation. I feel
obligated to at least make an effort to take advantage of these
circumstances...

Since I am now 70 years old, this thing does not have to last forever
and the pole seems to be nearly new condition now. As I see it at
this point, I intend to set the pole 5 feet in the ground far enough
from surrounding structures so that a fixture with a rotor platform
can be hoisted and stabilized into operating position with an electric
winch. I will endeavor to use as much as possible from my existing
stock of "junk" rather than accumulate more.

Perhaps what I learn & share will be of benefit to others in the
future if only as a bad idea.

Please keep the advice coming!

John Ferrell W8CCW

328X1 wrote:
'John Ferrell[_2_ Wrote:
;699186']A friend gave me a forty foot Utility pole. Since I am not a
climber I
have not determined how to make the best of this in my continual


Approach your local telephone
and/or electric companies for a source of pole material, and perhaps
they'll even be able to place your base & swing-up section [for a fee
?]. All told, it might be more economical to buy a used tower in GOOD
condition.

A lot of the temporary job-site companies (e.g. Andy Gump, here in
Southern California) that supply restrooms, power, etc. can plant a pole
for you.

Cable TV companies plant a fair number of poles, but almost universally
hire contractors to do it, so what you'd need to do is find the
contractor. Watch for their trucks.