You're way too close to the power lines... the top wires are 20,000 or more volts and will arc over to your antenna if it fell and was a foot away in a storm. The high voltage will come down the line and into your home and if it doesn’t first kill you or someone else in the house it'll for sure set your home on fire.

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Who was that meant for, HDTV101? Its good advice but I'm not sure for whom.

You're way too close to the power lines... the top wires are 20,000 or more volts and will arc over to your antenna if it fell and was a foot away in a storm. The high voltage will come down the line and into your home and if it doesn’t first kill you or someone else in the house it'll for sure set your home on fire.Huh? Aren't we talking about a 5' tripod here?

I'm only guessing here, but I believe HDTV101 may be referring to Valkryie's posts.

Many people forget that an antenna or tower doesn't need to actually touch electrical wires to present a danger. Energy can arc from such wires to a tower or antenna in close proximity.

And, as mentioned, I believe Valkryie's OTA setup is far too close to electrical wires. In particular, the hydro drop servicing his home.

@phil81: That installation is anything but impressive!

The tower is clearly a DMX 68' standard duty (I know, as I've installed and taken down a few of these). Delhi strongly (in bold on their instruction sheet) recommends against overloading such towers with cross bar mounted antennas.

The standard Delhi TV tower is designed to support a large TV-FM antenna, or separate TV and FM antenna of medium size.

Further, Delhi says, "Guy wires must be used if larger loads are required or cross bar mounted antennas or if greater height using straight section is needed".

I don't see any guy wires on this installation. Therefore, this install fails, IMO.

Further, Delhi says, "Guy wires must be used if larger loads are required or cross bar mounted antennas or if greater height using straight section is needed".

If you look real hard there is some hi tension 100 pound tess fishing line being used as guy wires.
I guess if it fools fish it can fool a human.
I didn't notice this till my third look at the picture.

btw, j/k.....

Mark

@phil81: That installation is anything but impressive!I see your point here. I can confirm that this tower is not guyed. I did find it a little strange that they would stuff so much gear so far up the tower. Clearly too top heavy. I don't know how long the tower has been up, but that could turn into a real disaster with a significant ice storm coupled with high winds etc...

It appears that CM has telescoping towers. I am hoping a canadian dealer will carry. I need one of about 50-60ft tall. Are there any other manufacturers/dealers in available in canada?

Thanks

saveandreplay.com

Though their biggest is only 40'.

Remember to plan and budget for guy wires when you price out a pop-up tower.

They're actually pop-up masts and they definitely require guy wires.

Crank-up towers exist but are typically several thousand dollars to purchase. Installation is extra.

For Guy wires can I use aircraft cable? They always have it on sale at p-auto. The cm pop up towers do you know what kind of base it needs? There is no manual on cm site.

I believe the base is simply a plate that spikes into the ground. It's purpose is to keep the bottom of the mast from kicking out. The guy wires are what provide the structural stability. I don't see a problem with using aircraft cable provided they're of sufficient breaking strength.

I've used pop-up masts a few times but only in temporary situations (google ARRL Field Day).

The structural stability for pop up masts is provided by the mast itself. The lateral stability is what you need guy wires for.

genx: Have you considered a hinged-base standard tower? The cost would be considerably less than a crank or winch up tower. And you'd get better height than a pop up mast.

For Guy wires can I use aircraft cable? They always have it on sale at p-auto.

As long as you are confident that you can terminate the ends securely, it should be OK. I personally think galvanized steel cables would be easier to use, since you can just pull it tight and then twist the end back on itself a bunch of times, but that is just my humble opinion.

The cm pop up towers do you know what kind of base it needs?

Which model are you looking at? I don't see any towers on CM's website, only masts. If you are actually looking at a telescoping mast, you would likely want to use a tripod as a base, though if it is well guyed, I guess you could use a chimney mount. What ever you do decide to use, make sure it can support the weight of the mast and antenna and provides good lateral support at the base so that it won't slip sideways.

For Guy wires can I use aircraft cable?Yes, it is commonly used on winches as it offers very high tensile strength. Just remember that a guy wire is only as strong as its connections and base anchor.

aircraft wire/cable.... remember to inspect the connections and cable every year for corrosion... its not designed to be left exposed to the elements.

you can buy stainless steel cable and galvanized ... try brofasco

I personally wouldn't trust stainless steel in this application. Not nearly as strong as the galvanized equivalent.

I second the galvanized advice.

Trivia tip about guy wires: the sound of the hand held blaster guns in Star Wars was recorded at a TV broadcast tower by an audio technician who mounted a microphone at the base anchor and struck the guy wire with a large wrench. When you get your guy wires all nice and taut give it a try. You'll impress kids of all ages in your neighbourhood! :D

The structural stability for pop up masts is provided by the mast itself. The lateral stability is what you need guy wires for.

genx: Have you considered a hinged-base standard tower? The cost would be considerably less than a crank or winch up tower. And you'd get better height than a pop up mast.
I like the hinged concept and I would prefer this but they appear to cost much more. I can purchase a 60' telesoping mast for about $200. I imagine the guy wires/achors would add up to be just as much. So I am looking at ~500. Not bad for 60'. Even at around 1k dont think I could find tower + hinge. Maybe I am wrong and you could correct me.

references
CM 1650 telescoping mast
Hy-GAIN ATM-65 telescoping mast