KW1DX 45ft Tower

(click on picture for a larger view.)

After moving into our new, and first, house I was very excited about the possibilities to raise my first tower since I was living at home with my parents, over 10 years ago.  The long range plan is for two towers on the 2.51 acre lot.  This tower will be the smaller of the two and will do for a couple of year until the 100 footer can be put up.

The design is a 45 foot Rohn 25 tower bracket to the house at the 28 foot level.  The rotor to be used would be Hy-gain Tailtwister   which was originally used on the tower my mother, NB0C, used when I was a still living at home.

Now for the work, the base of the tower is on the side of the house near the back of the house  between the air-conditioning unit and the entrance to the cellar.   The placement of the tower was a little tricky as to not be in front of any windows. The base was dug with little problems and a local concrete company was called to pour the base.

Once the preparation was complete the day was finally hear to put some aluminum in the air.   Some of my friends Sterling, AK1K, and Ray, KB1SO, from the local radio club came by to put the tower up.   Climbing towers is somthing I enjoy so being on the ground directing the operation was a little depressing.

The first three sections were put into place with little trouble,  and it was time to attach the house bracket.  The bracket attaches to the the house in the attic  which is a walk-up, so access to the inside hardware was easy. 

With only the top tower section above bracket remaining we were almost finished.  The top section went up and it was then time for the antennas.

First up the 2 meter/70cm vertical, a Cushcraft AR270B.  

Next the 18 element, 70cm beam, a M2 440-18

 Finishing up the VHF setup a 13 element 2 meter beam, a Cushcraft 13B2.

Now for HF!  A lot of time was spent trying to decide which antenna to put up.  The decision was finalized when I picked up a used 3 element, Cushcraft A3.  This fit into my plan as a starting antenna which will eventually be move to my wifes parents home on Long Island off of Portland Maine.

In addition to the A3, a purchased the 40 meter add-on kit.   And up it goes.   and up   and up  and up  and up  (Enough pictures you would think that the tower was 300 feet high.

Some last adjustments and we were finished.

Up and working the tower has been a wonderful upgrade to the wire antennas I have been using for the past ten years.    And of course it gives me something to play on as well.

And finally the other place that I like to be when not in the operating chair.

Changed on 9 June 2001, Removed the 40 meter add-on kit from the A3 and added a 6ele 6 meter beam.