Vintage TV Antenna Tower RECLAIMED

Saw an ad on FB for a 'free' tower, just needed to be taken down. We headed down the next morning. Would I do it again?.....no. But I'm glad I have a tower for future gadgets.

[meganblount]

I recently moved to Rapids. My house has almost this exact tower - only taller. Then I realized that I recognized the houses in this video. THIS IS MY NEIGHBORHOOD! WOW! Crazy! So cool!

[carlachambers]

This size would be perfect for my travel trailer tv antenna. Cool find and great video ❤

[chrisgraham]

You noted at the beginning that removal of the top 4 foot section with the antenna and motor was "nerve-racking". I assume that's because you were unsure of the stability and condition of the tower. I share that concern. Many people have advised me that these welded steel towers, galvanized or not, tend to rot from the inside out making visual inspection of their condition very difficult, if not impossible. Most have advised that recovering and re-constructing a tower that is more than 10 years old to reuse for an antenna, cameras, wind turbine or future gadgets should never be considered. When your 30 plus feet in the air installing an antenna or cameras, only one of the three legs of the tower needs to fail to cause it to fold instantly sending you to the ground.

[buelah]

I really would have liked to see the removal of the top, because I have to do the same thing.

[HamRadioQso]

i found one just like, i go take it down tomorrow. will do like i always do on 30 feet and under, cut the legs and walk it down, they are not heavy

[BenWorrell]

I've been a helper on 4 of those projects. 2 were that same style of TV tower 1 was 24' the other 30' both pretty lightweight and in both cases, it was decided to cut the tower off at the ground and lower it (the 24' tower there was only 2 of us and we tilted it over by hand (full 24') went pretty smoothly. The 36' there was 4 of us we used a rope across the top of the house it was next to lower it. Rope was put through the tower from the roof about 15' shy of the top. 2 on the rope on the roof and 2 on the ground. I doubt that tower weighed a total of 80 pounds.


The other 2 projects were taller Rohn 25 in concrete bases which showed no signs of rust. (2 experienced but not professional) climbers wearing safety harnasses used a gin pole and tower jack disassembled these and lowered them. 1 was guyed the other not guyed but temp robe guys were used as they climbed up the tower.


For your project given that the base appeared to be simply supported by an unknown amount of dirt and the tower could have been rusty, I would of tackled it singlehanded but not by climbing it. I would have cut and lowered it.


Glad it worked out safely for you.


Thank you for sharing.
Ben - ne5B

[ohiostate]

I had a 100 foot Rohn tower infront of my house I used for my ham gear. When I moved the one condition to the new owners buying the house that day in cash was the ham tower had to be removed. I did not plan on using it at the new house since I was on a hill and antennas on the roof were more then enough. I met the potential buyers along with the real estate agent at the house and the new potential owners had Cash in a duffle bag. I stood the chance to make a large profit on the house but the wife said she will absolutely not buy it with that "ugly ass tower in front". I told them give me a week or two and I would get it down and they said they loved the house but would have to walk today because the wife wouldnt budge on it. I handed the real estate agent some cash and told him to take them out to lunch and come back in an hour or so. They left and I got my saws all out and sent the whole thing out into the yard. it was 100 foot of Rohn 45. It hurt me and I felt I committed a Ham Radio sin but cash talks lol.

[agoogleuser]

I live in northwest Indiana, near Chicago. I bought one of these from a guy over in Illinois for $60 if I took it down. 30' tower. I finally got the thing up with a rotator, amplifier, and filter and I get around 85 channels. Everything from Chicago, Illinois, Milwaukee Wisconsin to South Bend, Lafayette, and Ft. Wayne Indiana. People are foolish to get rid of these things!

[ispyurmom]

I have one of these at my house that was built in 1890 and I want to restore it.

[andrewsobek]

Today I learned there are people that want old antenna towers...

[chrnic]

HELP! I'm in the process of trying to remove one where I'm working. It looks like it's 30-40 feet and right next to the house. I have no clue what I'm doing but I can't finish until it's removed. If anyone could give me any advice, I have pictures I could show. When I asked someone who I thought would know what to do they told me to just cut it at the bottom and let it fall since it's on farm land and a very large property but idk. I also was wondering if there is anything I could do with it afterwards or just scrap? Thanks in advance.

[WiSeNhEiMeR-]

CURIOUS = what Size / Diameter MAST does this antenna CROWN Have ???
Thanks for POSTING
COOP
...

[danbasta]

Best way to install a tv antenna is to mount it on a tower.

[grumpy_ken]

using a hazard fart grinder with locking on switch was consistent with the rest of the video

[pixelpadre]

Im in the exact same situation. Free come get it. like 35 ft tall. Not sure I can do it without a lift.

[joeblow]

Have any idea what brand that tower is? I have one but it's too short and looking for more sections

[lauraglander]

Hello! Not sure if your other projects worked and you are looking to do more. I have one that you can have for FREE. Just needs to be taken down and hauled. No rust!

[diycarhome]

The Tower is scrap junk.
It's made by TDL in Peterborough, Ontario
It's 17 gauge steel cheap steel with welded joints.
I hate those towers.
I did not see a safety belt while on the tower.
I take Towers down and install new antenna/towers full time.
I use a a gin pole to lift the tower sections.

[ProFriend]

Could have earned a Darwin Award with that one

[matthewlamb]

Put a double ultimate tv antenna on that tower and have free tv