Attempt 2 - Lifting the Whole Antenna Tower Up - By Hand

Last time out, we broke the Create Rotator. We fished out the Yaesu G-450 and we're going to try again - this time with the whole 13m (42.5-ft) and a 6:1 pulley. Wish me luck!
This is a 12m tower project for an HF Yagi / Quad etc. long story.. BUT the guys are dual-use as both a 40m 4-Square switchable antenna array - as well as the tower. ALl lines will be replaced with Dyneema after we've sorted it all out.
There will be 4 vertical antennas coming off each guy point. Accuracy is mandatory for both the 4-square (impedance matching and gain etc) and you'll see shortly in another video why they need to be spot on because when we move to a non-stretch Dyneema rope, all 4-guys need to have same tension when the tower is lowered and raised.
Further, the tower needs to be totally detuned from 40m so we have a fibreglass insulator to change the resonance to around 9MHz. We COULD add a further insulator above the rotator to move that to about 24MHz. More of that in later video. There will be a temporary yagi going up on the top of this tower which will give me time to develop the multi-band quad antenna.
The rotator will eventually be replaced. The vertical force specification on the G450 is 200Kg. I broke the Create RC5-1 which had double that. There are no sideways loads on the base of the tower so I only need to worry about vertical loads.
The start of the construction is here: • Building the Antenna M...
"Part 1" is this one • 40 ft / 12m Tower Proj...
The "disaster" video is here: • Tower Project - Disast...
We covered the planning of this tower on a previous video: • Cheap Tilt-Over Tower ...
We also made a video about Quads - which is the target of this tower: • Cubical Quad Antennas,...
And here is some information about 4-Square antennas which will surround the tower (tower will be de-tuned off 40m): • How does a 4-Square An...
The NEXT video in this series is when we fit the top of the tower, fit all the lines (ropes), add an extra guy-point and make the tower fully operational - as well as site the 4-vertical elements (non functional currently until we connect it).
The next video after that one in this series is to make a temporary yagi mono-bander for 20m and fire at USA. Then finally, rotator cable, ethernet, control wires etc up the pole.
Finally, we will lay the radials down for the 4-square and connect up the control box.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

New here? It might help that you read the description.

[@nealbeach4947]

This is better than those reality shows on TV. Awesome!

[@jolebole-yt]

Callum's Farm 😆

[@michaelrichardson4884]

Just love the enthusiasm - cant believe I wasnt already subscribed - any other subject matter Callum would have 500,000 followers but with AR its very hard. He certainly put in the work. Can imagine it's stressful doing the videos at times and not many stupid haters following him. Also you can find him and speak to him on the air that's do rare. True radio interest. + aside that all DXC is marvelous idea / concept. 73s

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice!

[@paulKJ5GKK]

Absolutely impressive and utterly amazing! The fact that you did that lift without tangling all the lines gets a 10 outa 10 for me. Love watching this project. Can't wait to hear it talk. 73

[@ohyeawhosurpoppy]

Congratulations on growing a fine antenna farm.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, thank you

[@scousedavies565]

This reminds me of my experience as a young radio technician with the Royal Signals. Back in 1967 I was stationed in Botswana in support of British troops there. For comms with the outside world, we had an HF link to Mauritius and the transmitter was connected to a sloping Vee aerial which was supported on a 100ft tall guyed mast. When it came time for a troop rotation back to Aden, the MoD had chartered a DC4 and the RAF ground support man reported it was "a bit of a shed". As the departure path would take the plane close to our mast, in the dark, we decided it would be a good idea to service the mast-head obstruction light. We used a similar rig that you used here with 4 or 5 of us doing the grunt wok. We had a small winch arrangement to do the heavy lifting. It was surprisingly straight forward with our only concern was during the raising the mast back to vertical when we had to pause a couple of times as the mast began to whip. For those interested our kit was an Army C11 HF transmitter driving an RAF supplied power amp giving us a theoretical 1KW to the aerial. We flew out that night and completely missed the mast! Happy days! Later in life, post-Army, I had a few hair raising experiences with areials including HF Log Periodic steerables on the end of 10KW and 30KW transmitters, a couple of fixed centre fed Tee over 55 metres high with a 40KW and a 50KW LF transmitter.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You tell a good story! Love it!!

[@alanbond1269]

Well done Callum it's getting there. You reminded me of myself sometimes my wife has to say stop when I am worn out and at breaking point. A fresh day always seems to be better. I think so much about jobs projects 100 different things at once then overload. Your definitely winning. Slow and steady son

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks Alan! PS - Good observation!

[@jackK5FIT]

Patience and persistence always pays off. Looking forward to the rest of the project. Loki's narration gave me a chuckle.

[@saxmusicmail]

Made me think of pulling up the masts and sails of a ship in a bottle. This was a feat of geometry, engineering, and planning. Amazing to watch. The aerial view was amazing, too! Thanks, Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA!

[@MrTommy001]

Love the drama music at the end. Reminded me of the music from Das Boot when the sub was cruising on the surface. I can only wish I had a backyard that would support an antenna farm like this. I'll be lucky if I can put up a Signature 9.

[@MikeDent]

Bloody well done Callum! Amazing job. thanks for sharing.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Awe thanks!!

[@rvcbuk]

Great work, it looks a real treat. I am taking part in Foundation training at the moment, just started yesterday in fact, module 1. Looking forward to getting a nice HAM set up at home.

[@ja91uk]

Good luck!

[@rvcbuk]

@@ja91uk thank you 😀

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You'll be fine!

[@ham-radio]

Dear Callum, very nicely done video as usual. Thank you for sharing the experience. I look forward, as you do, to getting it all going so you can point the antenna towards northern California. Then we can have a good long QSO on 20 meters. 73, Jim W6LG

[@DXCommanderHQ]

YES JIM! I have just completed the 2-ele temporary 20m mono-band Yagi!

[@robertmeyer4744]

Now that looks great ! Cheers for Loki helping with the camera. Got some great footage of the work ! 73 from NY !

[@martinhoskins57]

Brilliant !!! a job well done all your cool points are back after the earlier mishap. Just a great video to watch Thanks for sharing Callum 👌

[@thork0tjt515]

I understand your sentiment about being terrified and needing to rest. I am just about finished with my own ham radio project. It’s taken me a lot of time & effort to complete. Way more than I planned. I’m stressed out over whether my project will work, or be a complete failure. I thought ham radio was suppose to be fun….😂

[@tobyticehurst]

What a piece of work. Looks amazing with the 4X Sig12 poles surrounding the main mast. Well done mate, i'm very impressed.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Tnx

[@ka0clg431]

Great video Cal! Production, Editing and your comments, 👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Much appreciated!

[@bpjr1899]

Love the Hardhat, ready for Health and Safety Inspection! Good work on your new antenna. "Rome was not built in a day!" PS: I like movies with a happy ending! Well done....

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes!

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Awesome Antenna farm there Callum!! 👍👍👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@davidbridge3542]

Very well done sir. A credit to you both. Looking forward to see how it develops and what comes next.

[@zyphod]

There you go, round two and up it goes...Well done!

[@seanw5492]

Well done cal looks awesome

[@garryhammond3117]

Wow - It's beautiful Callum! - Cheers!

[@VK4VO]

Flamin awseome work Callum can't wait to hear the difference and if your signals boom into VK4.

[@davepuckett3197]

It's GLORIOUS, Cal!!! OutSTANDING!!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Tnx!

[@charlesi3284]

WOW That is looking Good Sir.

[@sleeve8651]

What a production ! Dramatic music for effect ! And commentary by your better half ? Hilarious ! 👍😋

[@TrevHolland]

Hey Cal, shit happens. You cleaned it off and carried on. What more can anyone ask? Thanks for the great videos and showing everyone what it means to persevere!

[@m7trsradio]

Bravo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 job well done. The Clark mast also looks sweet in the back corner. Great work. 73

[@jamess1787]

Made my first G9 contact today, to a fellow G9MC. It was awesome. 10W baby. 🇨🇦

[@rj2para]

Wow. And I was getting stressed putting up my first antenna (end fed) respect that is one significant project installation!

[@JeffSkymaster]

Perseverance, Bravo Callum!

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

Beautiful job Callum. Can't wait to see it finished and I hear you on the band. 73 Joe

[@timgoad5750]

Well done sir Callum. Keep up the good videos

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@stevensexton4315]

Very impressive cal looking forward to the next video 👏👏

[@thomasperina2990]

Hello Lord Callum: Lord Callum please understand I'm not being critical of your efforts but THIS IS A 2 MAN JOB !!!!! I understand when you are alone you've got to rig it & I get it but that's when the injuries occur. I've done it & yes was injured several times. What looks good on paper or in our minds ends biting us in the butt occasionally. I loved the end result in this video. God Bless you, Wendy, & the dogs. TMP, Unit 22 from N.J.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Injured SEVERAL TIMES sounds complex! On the other hand, this has been thought through , practiced before and rehearsed. Please don't worry. A second person can't actually do anything.

[@triradio]

@@DXCommanderHQ The second person calls the ambulance :-) Love your work, but worth being extra careful when it is "in the workplace" and H&S law potentially applies.

[@J1mbo888]

Top Work Cal. Great perseverance. You need to get someone inside BHX for local Aircraft control ! Love it 🙂

[@russellsurrey2465]

Amazing! Well done.

[@radiotowers1159]

Well done, looking good, hope it all survives this storm thats blowing through.

[@foxy216]

Wow! Thats next level and way better than a TV docu

[@trevwaters1]

Congrates. A Cracking job, very well perservered.

[@CranstonR]

Great job Cal, looking good. I'm actually feeling nervous for you when lifting a beam up, best of luck.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah.. That'll be interesting. I built the 20m Yagi today.. It's light. Luckily!

[@Rwslippey]

I've thought for a few years now on how to put a small yagi on a mast like this... just had no idea how to make it work. Wheels are turning now.... Looking good appreciate the work you're putting into this

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha. Excellent!

[@RichardDePas]

That is fantastic! Going to be quite the antenna farm.

[@dallasthomas1055]

Very cool Callum looks to have worked very well. Loved the dramatic music while raising the tower up. Loki did a great job filming as well.

[@dallasthomas1055]

I mean worked just like you spent the time and effort to figure all this out.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

All copied. I get what you meant, don't worry :)

[@andylinton2798]

Arranging and lifting that by yourself is hard enough. I’ve done similar. But filming it too? Wow. Really well done!

[@ronleblanc9832]

Good show things are looking up

[@rogercollins7763]

Takes guts to take an audience along for such a stressful part of a project. Bloody impressive working that lot out mate. M7FLL

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Or stupidity! LOL

[@piquat1]

That was interesting. I have a lot of space, always wanted to try something like this. Thanks.

[@robertmitchum2972]

At least you didn’t get your foot caught in the rung of the tower while trying to lower it like I did yesterday 🤬….. Thought I was stuck partway up there, but I managed to wiggle my foot out of that Sticky Wicket! Yes indeed, help would always be welcomed but never seems available when you are. Got the antenna up and all works, but the rotator is a Turd! Now I have a new Yaesu 450 coming…… Just like yours….

[@tomdavis6547]

I want more David Attenburrow voice overs of the wild Callum experiencing difficulties... 🤣

[@RandyW4LKS]

A thing of beauty! Thanks for sharing.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You bet!

[@SteveBrace]

Loved the "epic" recap intro 🤣

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah.. fun..

[@FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z]

Brilliant stuff brother!!!! Looks great. I will be copying this design for the new QTH!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good man John!

[@SMShannon55]

I absolutely understand and agree about having to divide your attention between video recording and the antenna work. Sometimes the mistake is that the camera is forgotten, sometimes it’s something crucial like forgetting to remove the locking bolt. I cannot possibly advise you on antennas. I’m here to learn from you in that regard. But if I could advise you on anything it would be to hire someone to run the camera so you can concentrate on the antenna. Then, before each major step, like lifting the mast, have what the utility industry in America calls a “tailboard” where you sit down together to review the actions you’ll be taking and what can possibly go wrong. 73 de AI7KS

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Finding a spare person mid-week is a challenge.

[@davidjohnson7613]

Looking great. Reminds me of the antenna farm at Rugby :-)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA!!!

[@wildbanjoman99]

Excellent work, hope to hear you on the bands for CQWW.. I missed out last year and didn’t get into contesting til the spring of this year.. so it’s my first CQWW contest.. all the best from Georgia de KM4TQD

[@MikeWestBastion]

Well a positive spin Callum would be, think of yourself as a public service outlet that makes the mistakes, so we don't have too! Kudos! We all make mistakes, in my earlier years I fired up a near spanking new 25kW RF Load without checking there was any coolant oil in it, in the days before all the new modern protection circuits we see in newer Bird kit . I wasn't a popular guy for a while 🥴

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ouch!

[@ukm6yik69]

U look bloody knackered at the beginning there cal

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Always. Isn't that fun!

[@DedyBlackLaBeneamata]

Now you have friend that helping you operate drone 😀

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Don't need. You set it off and leave it there. Like a huge tripod!

[@brianveitenheimer4492]

Reminds me of my super scetchy field day deployment a couple years ago. Calum, that was well planned

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha.. Tnx!

[@chuckrann6282]

Very very impressive.

[@colinmcdonald7591]

Nice work.

[@tommiehinman1349]

Yay!🎉🎉😅 didn't forget the bolt!

[@mikestickersm3mxb279]

Looking good

[@Krispin291]

This is awesome!

[@Professzore]

Well done.

[@tommiehinman1349]

Please tell me you took the bolt out before lifting this time....

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Erm.. We'll have to see :)

[@Retired_Five-0_W4WAG]

Got the Popcorn 🍿 ready for “Callum vs the Tower, Part Deuce” Who will Win? Stay Tuned! 😂👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Just over 90 mins and we'll find out :)

[@prepr8725]

standing by…🎉

[@brettmate6806]

​@@DXCommanderHQ Callum, How many times on the second round of install did you check to see if bolt was removed on hinge point. We have all been there before. My guess would be a lot of times ( just from my experience). Well done

[@hoog111]

Starring Derek and some other guys

[@artpeters6122]

Callumm, Great job, really enjoy following along. I find your projects inspiring and hope to try a couple over here…73 es God Bless, …/Art K0ACP

[@colinbowman3015]

Pure poetry sir

[@DXCommanderHQ]

So nice

[@michaelpolimer2128]

looks good Callum, 2'nd time was a charm! I hope when you actually put an antenna on the top the added weight and long moment don't snap another rotor off. I have to think abt where the forces are.......... you might want to consider making up some kind of temporary "U splint" that you could install across the rotor to take the bending load.......if you lived closer I would weld up something for you.... Agn, I have to think abt what an average ham could make up. Cheers from New England to Old England, Mike K1FNX near Boston

[@DXCommanderHQ]

There are only downward forces.

[@sandraandrew3296]

It's a nice feeling when you just get past the heaviest part of the lift . Ken G6YYN 15:33

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah.. We did this years ago on an 80 ft (yeah, 4 poles) and it would accelerate before "landing"!

[@fm71450]

It was interesting and informative observing the “Wild Callum facing technical difficulties”! Thank you for sharing. For the last years your videos have inspired me try different antennas and configurations. Please keep it up. At one time I thought I was the only Ham that had antenna challenges - but - well worth the struggle. All the best, KQ4IXD

[@TheVicar]

Planet Earth is thinking "Why is that man trying to make me into a ship with all this rigging?"

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA

[@beam8039]

is goog now callum👍

[@loughkb]

Yep, people don't get it about filming. It takes about half of your attention away from whatever you're doing. I've made mistakes myself, some even more costly. Such is life my friend.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

True

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh heck Kevin! I nearly missed that it was you commenting.. Yes old friend, you and me should know!!

[@paulsengupta971]

Wonderful!

[@1shARyn3]

{I exude jealousy} I had to replace the fuel pump in my vehicle this week. I could have REALLY used that ratcheting box wrench; but no ... I had to make do with a standard non-ratcheting one [what a pain...]. I'm jealous....

[@sparkyboots]

This was amazing to watch. I learned a lot! Lines everywhere! Cheers!! N4ZAP ERIK S. FLORIDA

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah.. Taking it down is interesting too!

[@brianfields4479]

Looking forward to hearing your big signal in zl soon.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Soon Brian!

[@Mfull-l4r]

Big gun station coming 😂👍👍

[@jolebole-yt]

The sheep are about to get some radiation :) Poor sheep lol

[@NICKGAR7]

Falling Derrick method has always given me a ‘code brown’ moment so have never dared do it! Interesting to watch you doing it. Thanks! Doesn’t that rotator need to be in a cage to eliminate bending loads on it as you are pulling mast up/dropping it down? Look forward to the next episode. Nice to meet briefly at Hamfest btw. M1DDD

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Rotator is under zero load up and down because it just moves with the hinge..

[@N0ZHE]

well done :)

[@1000000volts]

That looks safe .

[@DXCommanderHQ]

safe(r)

[@David-hm9ic]

The recap editing is up there with network TV programs! Until someone tries it, they don't know how intrusive documenting your project on video can be. I was a professional still photographer and a news video photographer when I was younger and even with that experience it's very distracting to try to shoot video while working and REALLY slows the process down. It's also very disruptive to the thought process of the task.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah! SO you know too.. I have some sympathy then! LOL!!

[@DiscusRussell]

fack ups are part of the learning process 😂

[@jackcycling4403]

Who needs NASA?? LoL!

[@Paweł-h8u]

Hello Callum. Good job. I have a question about the mast tube. What kind of pipe is it (1.5 or 2 inches) and what is the wall thickness of this pipe? Thank you for your reply.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

2 x sections. Bottom mast is standard scaffold tube in steel. Second section is the same but in alloy. In inches, that's 1.9 (48.3mm industry standard scaffolding)

[@moselblues8694]

Epic! But I'm still a bit concerned about the high torque on the Rotator by lifting/lowering the mast?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Torque.. 200kg downward force on the spec. There are zero lateral forces. Well.. negligable.

[@moselblues8694]

@@DXCommanderHQ but only in vertical position. While reacting there will be a lateral force (from the weight of the mast+antenna) that creates torque on the shaft of the rotor

[@BrianRamseysg01]

Good going there mate, but when the Yaggi is on top wont it be much harder to raise? Good Luck 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I built the Yagi today. It's light as a feather.. However the Quad will be a different matter - but by that time, we'll have different rope, pully etc.

[@BrianRamseysg01]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thanks i really like your videos and look forward to the next mate. M7SEY 73..

[@a120068020]

I have never had a rotator at my QTH and have only ever used one at the local club so I am no expert, but I understand they have stationary torque and rotation force. With all that pole above it, won't that put more strain on the rotator being on the base instead of mounting it higher up?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

G-450 is 200kg vertical force.. Which is why I need the Create back.

[@buckkruszewski1059]

How far is your shack from your antenna farm? It seems like it’s REALLY far. All of us Americans worry about the length of coax runs and it’d be nice to know it’s not such a huge deal in practice.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I use a coax loss calculator.. In total from shack to top of tower, it will be 90m.. About 300-ft. I use EcoFlex 15 between shack and cabinet - then best I can find from field cabinet to any antenna. I do have some LDF4-50 ready for some VHF.

[@kema3607]

By Hand！💪😊

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Easy..

[@kema3607]

@@DXCommanderHQ Must rely on logical thinking and rich practical experience！😀

[@matthew4x]

Great work, how do you do this without at any point calling it a gin pole :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Because a Gin Pole is a contraption that moves up and down a tower during construction.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Here's a Gin Pole: content.instructables.com/FVM/MONX/IPEIEV1X/FVMMONXIPEIEV1X.png?auto=webp&frame=1&fit=bounds&md=MjAxNi0wNi0xNCAwODo1MjoyNy4w

[@kenmartin1211]

Excellent Job..... KC3ZDW 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Many thanks!

[@toddphilbrick1871]

WOW!!!!

[@RedNeckSurgeyTech]

Nice! How are you going to get your antennas up there? A lift truck? kf0alt

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Rocket ship.