SUBJECT: Towers, part 6

Commercial grade:  There is only one bad point to these type towers
and that is the cost of a new one.  If you can get a commercial grade
tower for your ham antennas at a cheap price, by all means get it.

     Many of the Ham towers available on the market today are commercial
grade also.  And the price reflects it.  They are built to last.  The
base is the most important part of the tower.  With a commercial grade
tower, be sure to follow all base construction designs to the letter
and use the proper hardware. 

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Monster Crank-ups:  The monster crank-up is a ham's dream.  Many come
with motors to do all the work for you.  I talking about the 80, 100, and
120-ft plus models.  Awsome is the only word I can think off that 
fits these towers.  Many are self-supporting and can handle beams that
would make you drool.  For ten grand you can have a 90 footer with motor
control, a top notch rotor, and a killer antenna to boot.  If you
have the money, go for it.

    Like all crank-ups, they require maintenance.  TLC is the biggest
problem with this type of tower.  Cables need to be looked at weekly,
rollers and pulleys need to be looked over and greased, and if you have
a motor on it, that too needs to be kept up.  The joys of one are
outstanding in DX reports and the ability to lower the antenna during
bad weather.

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-WS