TX-455 instalation
Thanks to the following
My Son Doug for digging the hole in a mountain of rock
Base plate, Rebar cage, ground system & mast farbricated by: Mike WA2VUN
11 element 2 Meter beam donated by: Bill W2DGB
Right angle motor to raise/lower tower donated by: Roy W8REH
Found a great deal on a TX-455 tower & raise lower device so decided it was time to plant a new tower and add to the antenna farm. It was quite a project from a time and effort standpoint. The hole for the foundation was to be 4X4X6 but at 4 1/2 feet we hit the mountain. The only option was to drill 5 1" holes and drop the 5 rungs on the bottom of the rebar cage into the holes, I am told this is a common practice on mountains. We then made sure the The T-Bar mounting plate for the tower was in the exact place needed and that it was level. Satisfied everything was OK we poured ready mix 4000 PSI concrete into the holes with the rebar and let it cure. We then cut a deal with a local concrete contractor to have him bring the needed concrete anytime they had an extra 4 yards from a job. A week later they called and at the end of the day came over. There was no way to get the truck to the tower base so I used a utility cart and my John Deere to get it from the truck to the hole. It took many trips but went fast and without a hitch. We then removed the T-Base and marked the custom mounting plate for the anchor bolts and drilled anchor bolt holes. Next we cut the tower mounting and raising fixture tabs off the T-Bar, then welded them to the steel mounting plate, leveled, painted the base and raised the tower.
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Total Cost
Tower with new cable, & Raise/Lower Device with new cable, coax stand offs, rotor plate, thrust bearing: (I picked up with my boat trailer) Included all SS & Galvinized Hardware. $2,000
Rebar Cage & New Anchor bolts welded to cage plus a 13' Heavy duty mast. 6X6's installed for easy leveling Custom made by a fellow Ham in NJ who is a proffisional welder and tower installer. $400.00
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Custom 1/2" steel mounting plate: $400
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Concrete: $350.00
Drill Bits and ready mix for pining rebar in mountain. $85.00
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Total cost for tower: $3,235
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2 meter antenna: Donated by Bill W2DGB
6 meter antenna: Found on QTH.com, NIB $120.00
Low band Tenedyne T8: Found on QTH.com like new with baluns $400.00
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Total cost for complete instalation including antennas: $3,755.00
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Hole complete, rebar installed, T-base set
Hole being dug and 1st layer of frame
Everything checked and double checked. Ready for concrete
In goes the concrete, took 12 trips from the cement truck to the hole
Wait begins for concrete to cure
FINNALY - Ready to raise the tower
6 Element 6 Meter beam on 24 ft boom ready to install.
Ready to get the tower off my boat trailer and onto the T-base
Much easier than I expected.
Custom made 1/2 steel plate replaces T-Base.
6 meter antenna up and working great. Next, HF & 2 MTR beam.
HF Antenna assembled and checked out. Ready to mount on tower.
11 element 2 meter beam on tower ready to go. Next is the low band Log Periodic.
Me adding the low band antenna to tower and happy to be on a ladder instead of the top of a tower!!
Project Almost Complete!
Tower Base XYL Approved
NOW The Project is Complete
