[BC] AM Tower Replacement In a Remote Locale

[Jerry Mathis]

If they want it to last, do NOT put in a hollow-leg tower. A typhoon will
take it down in short order. And if it doesn't the salt water will corrode
it from the inside out within a short time.

The BIG expense will not be the tower, but getting it shipped there.

Assuming a tower in 20' sections, the tower can be erected with a ginpole,
so no crane is needed. A winch will be very desirable.

I have NO idea as to the total cost of such a project. But it will be high.
The cost of the actual tower will be the same, whether used in the U.S. or
shipped around the world. It's the shipping and handling that will jack up
the cost. A reputable tower company should be able to recommend the proper
type tower for the location, and the required accessories (base, guy wires,
anchors, etc.)

I would recommend the tower not be painted until it is on location, on the
ground. It would probably get very scratched up from the shipping process.
That would also be a good time to patch up the galvanizing that will
probably ALSO be scraped off.

--
Jerry Mathis

On 7/16/09, Paul B. Walker, Jr. <walkerbroadcasting at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> A station I spoke with in the South Pacific (not Larry's station on Pago
> Pago) is needing their 294 foot AM tower replaced.
>
> Assuming the station has someone there who can install and they don't need
> a
> new ground system, but want the tower lighted and painted. I dont know the
> size of the face, but it's probably whatever is standard, maybe slightly
> less for a station in the mid part of the AM band.
>
> What kind of ball-park are we looking at to replace the tower, from
> manufacturing, painting, lighting and shipment?
> What if they decided to have someone from the tower company fly out to do
> the install, and that person had to ship their equipment, how much extra is
> that?
>
> I know there may be more information needed, but this is what I've got for
> now. I've NEVER been involved in replacing an AM tower, so forgive me ahead
> of time.
>
> --
> Sincerely,
> Paul B. Walker, Jr.
> www.onairdj.com
>