N0RQ/KC5POV Tower Page 2
Here is a table of windspeeds for the Trylon T600.
We only put about 11 sq. ft. of antennas on ours (a Force 12 XR-5 and an M2 6M5X), and even though our area of Texas (near Dallas) in only a "70 mph" area, there's no way we were going to even get close to pushing the limits. (To find out what windspeed you live in, click here for the Champion Radio page on this subject.) Our T600-64 should handle our antennas at 100+ MPH. Falling down is NOT an option! Trylon requires a 5.5' x 5.5' x 6.0' flared-base hole, which is 7 cubic yards of concrete. Our hole was deeper, had bell-shaped walls in addition to the flares at the bottom, and took a hair under 10 yards of concrete.
Here is Dave (N0RQ) with the Termite backhoe. Neat little machine!
It is small, but dug fine, had a nice scoop on the front for moving dirt (we
filled in several low spots in the yard), and because it was
small, it did a good job of being fairly precise.
It might cost you less than hiring a guy with a backhoe -- it is certainly more
fun! I had never used one before, but it was easy to learn and be halfway
proficient with it.
Sue (KC5POV) waves from
the partly-completed hole. No, I didn't pull the ladder out with her still
in the hole. (Though I think it might have crossed my mind...)
(looking for the picture for this one...)
This is one of the walls (upside down at the moment). For better or for worse, I put one wall in the hole at a time and put them together in the hole... easier to get them in, but makes for more work in the hole. I only used 2 walls, as the sides of the hole worked fine for the other 2 sides.
As a side note, make sure to build them strong! During the pour, all
that concrete made mine bulge -- no harm done, but we were nervous for a few
minutes!