HAM RADIO Antennas Up! A Two-Day Tower Installation Adventure!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Wow terrific job congratulations enjoy great setup 72 from kb2uew

[@kenjohan]

In my younger days I routinely climbed a 42 m (130') antenna mast which belonged to the local ham radio club, of which I was a member, without any safety precautions. I wouldn't dream of doing that today 🙂

[@dennisjones8991]

That tower is short compared to the few I climbed as a broadcast engineer usually just replacing lights. I used a Icom W2A back in the day when I went up. Was at a little radio station on the west side of Missouri in Pike County. Was able to access repeaters in Kansas City while up there at nearly 1000 feet. Was an all day excursion, brought my lunch. Dennis N7TZQ

[@muhammadzainuddin4027]

i like this

[@DK5ONV]

Amazing Job Ray . . .💯👍

[@Ray-W2RE]

Thanks!

[@ronsears8692]

maybe some HTs for communication lol

[@UltraLimitedHD]

And gloves

[@CDTsuiPo]

my first thought

[@Sonicgott]

This is quite the endeavor! If it isn’t a fear of heights, it’s your arms burning hauling yourself up there AND the equipment. Good show! - KF0QNM

[@Ray-W2RE]

Thanks! :)

[@yy5cav]

Apreciado Colega, usted tiene unas bolas de torero, hizo un excelente trabajo, no todas las personas pueden instalar una antena de ese tamaño a esa altura. Felicitaciones! desde Venezuela, Carlos Valero YY5CAV

[@charlesdonaldson962]

How weird has ever heard of a thing you could use to talk to each other like you were actually side by side 2 ft apart??? LOL thank you for the video!

[@Paul-VA4ADM]

I’ve got a massive fear of heights, and this video had me clinging to my armchair for dear life within 90 seconds! Somehow, I survived the whole thing-white-knuckled and all. Totally worth it though-subscribed faster than my heart was racing!

[@Ray-W2RE]

Thats what I was hoping for! More content coming!

[@Smash-n-Grab]

​​@@Ray-W2REBrilliant Watch a lot of your videos Ray . I have a simple setup on a scaffolding pole. My living circumstances and land are pretty whack right now. Thanks for sharing your knowledge Ray

[@uralradio]

Perfect. Super job, 73! de R8DR

[@Ray-W2RE]

Many thanks!

[@Jonny10001]

Your a brave Man! our hobby is worth it!

[@terrymeyer7084]

no, it’s really not.

[@RT1Q_Andy]

Good job, 73!

[@jeffguimond9442]

Fantastic job.

[@Ray-W2RE]

Many thanks! Ray W2RE

[@tjairicciardi9747]

impressive

[@muhammadzainuddin4027]

the same hobby and test of courage

[@artjat-mecatronicaindustri3168]

Olá! O meu comentário vai mesmo em português! Parabéns pela inteligência, força, capacidade e paciência. Excelente trabalho!👋👋👋🇵🇹

[@randykitchleburger2780]

Awesome! I just threw up a 14db 70cm yagi today :O I wish i had that kind of room haha

[@Ray-W2RE]

Amazing!

[@lkdvm]

Thanks for what you do. 73 de D-STAR REF093 C (Charlie)

[@icebrakernh]

This is where a small frs radio would come in handy. That upper pulley could use some grease that noise it’s making must be hard to get use to.

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

Those mast plate top bearings are not particularly weatherproof. We ran some sort of seal on top to shed water. rubber boot. The did not used to be so expensive, you can use a boot from a roof vent pipe, etc

[@Godspreparedwarrior]

That’s incredible what y’all did. But why didn’t y’all have some radios on you? It would’ve been much easier to communicate. That is so awesome. What you’ve done I wish I could put that in my backyard lol have a great day. Thank you for the video, it looks super scary. I’m afraid of heights myself. I don’t think I could do that tethered or not

[@levinef]

How will those coax wires last holding on for dear life with the electrical tape?

[@Ray-W2RE]

3M is amazing tape!

[@KE8ODY-WV-Ares-Ham-Dad-3O4]

I always wondered how the saftey equipment worked while climbing, so if you'd go to fall hugging the tower would stop you from free fall

[@ncphotos]

Great video! de W2CSI

[@Ray-W2RE]

Thanks!

[@470smith]

Maybe a couple tin cans and a string for better communication. lol

[@TheHamNinja]

I find it interesting you guys don't use some sort of HT communications with each other with VOX for the person on the tower. Clearly you can execute without it. Thanks for the content

[@Ray-W2RE]

Good point! But, ive been doing it this way for 20 years!

[@earllholden4644]

Nice job. Those lanterns are not supposed to be used for Positioning. They're made for fall arrests. You may want consider getting yourself. The correct equipment, the position yourself. While you're at the top of the tower.

[@Ray-W2RE]

kzbin.info1U-DmzVECyA?si=-H7N9hS5HXc1WjDC

[@hornhospital]

Is there some reason you don't lube the gin pole pulley? That much squealing makes me think it adds a lot of drag to the lift....but what do I know. 73 from K4NWD

[@1961Uberman]

Wow! Great job! How much does it cost for a set up like that?

[@Ray-W2RE]

Turnkey about $35,000

[@1961Uberman]

@@Ray-W2RE Wow! More than I expected but well worth it I bet. Thanks again.

[@IRAN-vx]

👍👍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👌👏💙

[@ryanjones9305]

You need a capstan, amigo!

[@Ray-W2RE]

I have two! lol

[@michaelvw11]

Why don't pre install the complete antenne and than raise the tower?

[@Ray-W2RE]

Not sure what you mean?

[@Jsploit]

What will you use to raise the tower with? Sometimes, these towers can be up to 300 feet, and it won't be economical having those big cranes

[@MANNNDE2]

I think, Bobby its so far to hear you! Why dont use a handie with VOX control?

[@Ray-W2RE]

Been doing it this way for 20 years. VOX just trips constantly. I need my hands free, not on an HT. He's got good ears!

[@1019ha]

これなら強力な電波が世界届きますね。73/88 FBDX JR1WLR

[@lifes.way.too.short-au]

Question, why wasn't the base/tower hinged? Could of put most of the antenna of the top of tower went it was bent over.

[@Ray-W2RE]

Hinge base wouldt work on such a tall tower!

[@mixmediaproductions]

Phones can be used as walkie talkies

[@Ray-W2RE]

We use sometimes when out of shouting range!

[@greggseidl3490]

I've seen some of your videos. I know you are a smart and efficient tower guy. There must be a reason you did it the way you did. Why not pull the gin pole up and instead of man handling the top plate, you could have just had it above you. Especially when you already have to move the gin pole. Second, why not have a pulley on the bottom and have your ground crew pull everything up. I often use a 4 wheeler/UTV or even a riding tractor. Third, why not invest in a couple of FRS radios for communications instead of yelling?

[@Ray-W2RE]

I had just installed the last section with gin-pole and didn’t move ginpole up tower.. So, manhandling the top plate is not a big deal for me. However, you have a keen eye on the process. I never found radios to be effective to using hand signals to talking to my ground crew under 120’. It’s how I do it! Now when I’m on a 200’ tower or using a crane I will have a radio with me. I have a method to this madness, besides me huffing and moaning that top plate made for good footage!

[@KE8ODY-WV-Ares-Ham-Dad-3O4]

Idk how you do it

[@akuzonir]

When he climbed the tower, he did not wear gloves and climbed with only the strength of his arms. It's very dangerous.

[@caroleemoreno8086]

I love radio but no way on God’s green earth I could ever do that. Nope Nope Nope. I have $. Who wants to do it for me? 😄

[@Ray-W2RE]

Why not! lol

[@bill53uk]

your a ham operator and you dont have a radio to talk to Bobby. Shame on you

[@terryparker1694]

That's an awful lot of trouble just to talk to strange men on a CB radio.

[@BRI33NOR]

Sooner you than me, we'll done. Ex G8TZP/EA.