Summer 2008
Many thanks to our customers and tower users everywhere. Without your feedback, we would not have the information and incentive to manufacture the best self-supporting towers on the market.
I have been personally listening to your wishes, complaints, and issues with towers for over 20 years. We have integrated the information from this communication into our product development. And what has been the result from it? An excellent, well functioning tower product that meets the demands of some of the most difficult and severe standards of tower applications.
March 2008
Time flies. Well, our reconstruction from Hurricane Ivan, way back in September 2004 is not pretty much complete. Yes, the effects take quite a while to mop up from. It's hard to describe to the uninitiated or non-believer. In general however, things are improving on many levels and we want our customers to know that. Cheers!
Several Hurricanes hit Florida this year packing 145 mph sustained winds passing right over our first 'Hurricane' tower, which was installed in West Palm Beach, FL in June 2004. The tower, shown in picture right, is 92 foot in height and rated for 150 mph winds. This tower and many others which were rated at much lower windspeed survived without any problems.​
​​We produce hurricane towers to withstand the severest windload ratings in Florida and the Carribean. At this time, they are self-supporting in heights up to 140 feet for more moderate wind speeds of around 110 mph. Please see our stacked, tapered tower list for further information. Thank you and be safe!
Are you interested in a self-supporting tower up to and over 140 feet (43 mtr+) in height? Then please look at our website. We do not have towers that will hold any antenna load in any wind-load rating, but we do have some strong ones. With our fantastic Fold Over Kit options and other accessories, we can make many previously difficult and expensive tower projects in to an easy and realistic option.
And please do not forget our Telescoping models. If you want smooth, reliable and, again, highly functional operation, you really should consider this option.
Wishing you the best in your tower projects of all kinds,
Drake Dimitry (Jr.), President
OTHER NEWS:
Fold Over Kits
Dateline: March 2004
New Tests Confirm that Fold Over Kits lift BIG Towers:
Tests performed from February 26 to March 26, 2004 on actual 88 ft. and 120 ft. towers confirm the ability of our current Fold Over Kit design to lift large payloads. Our previous tests in 2001 demonstrated that our motorized Fold-Over-Kits could lift an extremely heavy duty 72 ft. tower with over 330 lbs. of dead-weight attached 4 ft. above the apex of the tower. We did further testing with taller towers to confirm that our mathematical interpolations of the earlier tests were accurate, and our expectations were satisfactorily met.
Our smaller gearmotor (1105 in. lbs. output) lifted 60# on the end of a 120 ft. tower, whereas a new large gearmotor lifted 145# on the end of a 120 ft. (4.4 sq.ft. model) tower without any stalling or drive reversal. Both gearmotors easily lifted over 230# on the top of an 88 ft. tower. Some flexing of the tower occurs in the horizontal position before fold up, but the tension and displacement of the structure, of course, subsides in the vertical erect position.
"Voltage Drop" may be the worst enemy: Like any electrically powered working device, our gearmotors require proper electrical service with minimal voltage-drop to work efficiently. Customers with generator-powered electricity or sub-standard wiring/electrical infrastructure may experience difficulty operating their motorized Fold Over Kits.
Our gearmotors require near total efficiency, that is near 120 Volts AC electricity, to generate their specified torque output. Electrical lines that are distant from main facility power supply or perhaps generator supplied power, may experience what is commonly referred to as voltage drop. Any time voltage falls more than a few percentage below the specified voltage that a motor is designed for (in this case 120 Volts AC), that motor will experience a dramatic loss in efficiency. This effects gearmotors with a large drop in output torque, thus possibly rendering some motorized Fold Over Kits unable to lift specified amounts. Voltage drop occurs where insufficiently heavy enough wiring is used from main electric service.
For instance, any time you use a long extension cord, you can measure voltage drop on its outlet, and this is more noticable if you are putting a larger amp drawing motor or appliance on the end. Sometimes this drop is overlooked because the motor compensates for the loss of voltage by drawing more amps. However, this is an unsafe and foolish game to play with any motorized appliance, as the additional amperage will sooner or later burn the motor and will not operate the motor to specified output efficiency anyway.
Ask your local lawn-cutting professional who ever uses electrical lawn tools whether this is true or not. Then ask a motor manufacturer regarding larger motor efficiencies. Unfortunately, this problem can manifest istself in some areas of tower work, where consumer and commercial customers sometimes try to stretch their electrical service 'beyond its means'. Locations of towers are often located at some distance from main electric power sources. This 'stretching' of the power capacity in lines may not be noticed with the lower power needs of radio equipment, but will certainly be noticable when running 1/2 or 3/4 HP gearmotors.
Always be careful when testing or working with electricity. Electricity has the power to damage property, can cause injury and even death! Hire a licensed electrician when installing new power lines.
OTHER NEWS