How to Put Up a Ham Radio Tower

Preparatory Work

• 1

  Select an location where you would like the tower to be. It should be free of obstructions as far away from the tower as it is high to prevent damage to property should the tower collapse at any time.

• 2

  Consult the tower's installation documentation to see the manufacturer's recommendations for the foundation on which the tower will sit.

• 3

  Verify the location of any utility lines at the selected location to the depth of the foundation required by the manufacturer's specifications.

• 4

  Visit your local municipality to obtain the necessary permits to begin construction. Take the documentation with you, as typically, the permit officer will need to review these in order to make a decision on issuing the permit. A fee likely will be charged for the permit; contact the municipality beforehand to inquire about the necessary fees.

• 5

  Select a contractor to perform the work if required by your municipality. Otherwise, work on the installation can begin once the permits have been issued.

Tower Construction

• 6

  Use the backhoe to dig a hole for the foundation to the size and depth as called for in the installation instructions.

• 7

  Reinforce this hole by using rebar around the tower foundation. The installation instructions will detail the amount of recommended rebar, as well as the pattern it should be laid in.

• 8

  Pump concrete into the hole around the rebar and tower base. This step should be done during a period of dry weather Concrete typically needs several days or possibly weeks to dry and set in order to support the weight of the tower itself.

• 9

  Assemble the pieces of tower together at ground level. Inspect all bolts and connections to ensure it is securely fastened.

• 10

  Using the crane, hoist the assembled tower into the air vertically and attach the tower to the base, again ensuring all bolts and connections are securely fastened.

• 11

  Inspect the raised tower for any possible signs of instability, whether it be excessive sway in windy conditions or noticeable leaning to one side. Any problems should be corrected immediately.