started 10/12/08
Here's a shot of before the work was started.
Howdy! I just thought you might like to see the start of the hole. The sun was getting pretty hot and I elected to stop for the day. My plan is to dig a little every day until it is at the proper depth. 6" done 2'6" to go.
As you can see I'm wetting the dirt in hopes of making it easier to dig. 73 ...........Lou
(from 10/19/08) Howdy, Made some more progress today. Down about 26"
Sandi documented today's progress and as you can see I was well supervised. 73 Lou
(from 10/23/08)
Howdy! Well today I finished digging the whole hole. Here are some pictures that Sandi took because Keith was not here to properly document the event.
I also was surprised by Hamhock showing up for his final inspection and approval.
Cleaning up the hole...
Ready for the concrete
Hamhock's inspection
Hamhockette checks out hole
Driving the ground rod...
All set up and ready to go!
In goes the first load...
Lou says the next step will be to configure a house bracket and then install a couple of more sections of tower and then place the posts for the guy wires to attach to!
Best 73,
Lou and the tower gang!
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OK! Winter has come and gone and it is now the spring of 2009. In the interim time, a house bracket has been made and installed, a couple of sections of tower have been added, guy posts have been cemented in the ground and the guys wires have been attached.
It is Flag Day, Sunday, June 14th! Lou, N8KXM is the top man and his ground crew consists of Tom, WD8JPP, Dave, WB8WIQ, Bill, KA8ZBW and Keith, WA8ZWJ. First thing to do is to get the gin pole up and secure!
The next item of business is to attach the next section of tower. Then we will add the rotor to that section of tower. Then the top section of tower with the thrust bearing plate and mast will be installed. Then comes a TV antenna with a larger piece of pipe that slips over the existing mast.
As you can see, the tri-band beam sits in readiness to be installed. However, due to thunderstorms in the local area we chose to cease our operations before getting the beam up the tower.
Below you see the tower awaiting the installation of the beam!
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Now we jump forward to Sunday, June 21st. We had hoped to do the final bit of work on Saturday, the day before, but high winds kept the crew from doing that task. Sunday morning has found calm winds and it is now time to "Git 'Er Done"!
This week's crew consists of Lou, N8KXM as top man and his ground crew is Bill, KA8ZBW and Keith, WA8ZWJ. By the time Bill arrives the gin pole is up the tower and the beam is in readiness to be pulled upward! After having some difficulty getting the beam around the guy wires, Lou finally gets the U-Bolts in place.
Then a set of side arms are installed for future antenna additions.
Below you see the beam installed. Yes, there are a lot of gopher type jobs yet to be concluded before the beam can be put on the air, but the hard part is done. Lou says that he thinks the next thing to go up will be the G5RV so it will be "up in the air" instead of nearly on the ground where it is! Maybe he will be able to hear a bit better with the G5RV in the air?
As John, N5AAA so eloquently put it, yet another installation by the IOOK's KBL Tower and Antenna Crew! Yee Haw!
