diff --git a/06-LaunchTower.markdown b/06-LaunchTower.markdown index 87f36f4..e5538c4 100644 --- a/06-LaunchTower.markdown +++ b/06-LaunchTower.markdown @@ -9,32 +9,71 @@ Overview: ![Launch tower overview](diagrams/launch_tower_labled.png) +With the exception of a impact wrench or angle drill, this should be a tool-less setup. If you think you need to use a tool, look for the labels on the tower. ## Materials - Sand Screws + - Impact wrench or right angle drill. ## Setup - 1. Lay top tower and bottom tower end-to-end on ground, at 120 degrees off center such that antenna boom will point down during lifting - 1. Put top and bottom tower pieces together, aligning the A, B, C indicators, with 1/4-20 hex bolts/nuts - 1. Put base of tower on - 1. Mount rail alignment brackets - 1. Loose fit launch rail alignment brackets, look for markings on the brackets and on the tower - 1. Lay mount launch rail to pivot point, and lay down to align brackets, then tighten brackets in place - 1. Remove launch rail. - 1. Pre-string ropes from the top tower piece toward the bottom, including quick-links that will be used to tie to rail. Be sure the put the rope through the middle of the tower - 1. Set end of tower on ladder to raise top from ground - 1. Mount the antenna and antenna bar - 1. Attach and run the RF feedline to the antenna - 1. Screw sand screw into ground near base of tower and affix rope/chain to base of tower and sand screw such that when the tower is put up it won't slip out from underneath the lifters - 1. Pre-place sand screws at 120 degree intervals around tower, pre-attach guy wires to the tower and lay out on ground in approximate final locations - 1. Place 3 people on the guy wire ends to assist in stabilization of tower during lifting - 1. 3 strong people at tower base to push up tower - 1. Push up tower, rotating tower 120 degrees such that antenna bar is pointing downward. When the tower goes up, rotate until it's in desired alignment. - 1. Use high-torque to screw in sand screws in approximate locations, snug, but do not tighten - 1. Install launch rail with pulleys - 1. Draw up pulleys till rail is vertical - 1. Get Level, and tighten and level the launch rail with guy-wire turnbuckles and chain links as necessary - 1. Hang blast shield on tower behind where motor will start its burn - 1. Mount tower computer to back of launch tower, sitting on top of metal step affixed with 2 u-bolts. - 1. Proceed to Launch Tower Computer Setup. + 1. Lay tower sections on the ground, aligining the 'rail up' labels so they are all going the same direction. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_150333.jpg) + 1. Connect the sections of the tower, placing the 3 tapered pins into the respective holes and inserting the retainer snap that is attached to the string below. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_150555.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_150607.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_150608.jpg) + 1. Pull the rope and quick link down to the lower section of the tower and affix it to a cross bar. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_150721.jpg) + 1. Connect the hooks of the ratchet straps to the quick links on the upper section of the tower. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_150837.jpg) + 1. For the upper and mid sections, install the rail V-guides by removeing the 2 quick pins, and rotating the V-guide 180 degrees, and re-installing the two quick pins. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151015.jpg) + 1. Slide the antenna bar thru the 2 u-bolts at the top of the tower, such that the slot in the end of the antenna bar is on the side of the u-bolts that has 2 quick pins. Take 2 of the quick pins and place them thru the antenna bar such that it won't slide laterally. (there will be 1 quick pin dangling) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151032.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151035.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151104.jpg) + 1. Install the antenna angle adjustment bar by sliding it in the slot at the end of the antenna bar and inserting the quick pin to retain it. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151140.jpg) + 1. Rais the tower verticall with one person to hold it in place. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151348.jpg) + 1. Using appropiate power tool, drive sand screws into the ground at 120 degrees from each other, with the ratchet straps slightly taunt. If the power tool has insufficient torque to drive in the sand screw, use an 18 inch breaker bar. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151713.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151722.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151847.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_151945.jpg) + 1. Remove the foot mount quick pin, pivot the mount down, and install the quick pin in the lower back block. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152110.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152117.jpg) + 1. Slide the foot of the rail into the mount, and install the 1/2 inch quick pin to connect the rail to the tower. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152219.jpg) + 1. Connect the quick-link from the rope to the D-ring on the back side of the rail, then raise the rail and tie it off. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152239.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152335.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152350.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152357.jpg) + 1. Remove the foot from the storage block, and slide it in the front of the foot block, and re-pin in place. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152404.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152425.jpg) + 1. Tighten the ratchet straps while someone is holding a level tower, until the rail itself is vertical. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_153757.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152450.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152539.jpg) + 1. Make sure the ratchets are in the locked position after adjusting, all the way closed. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_153139.jpg) + 1. To unlock the ratchet strap, rotate the handle all the way back to the 180 degree position. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152546.jpg) + 1. Adjust the angle of the antenna and tie off the antenna adjustment string to the cleats. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152710.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152719.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_154632.jpg) + 1. Install the umbilical, pinning one end of the umbilical to the tower clamp. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152809.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152753.jpg) + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152755.jpg) + 1. Hang the tower computer on the hook thats on the back side of the tower. + ![Launch Tower Setup](tower_images/IMG_20150621_152956.jpg) + + + + diff --git a/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150333.jpg b/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150333.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a00f6bb Binary files /dev/null and b/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150333.jpg differ diff --git a/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150555.jpg b/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150555.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a107c8b Binary files /dev/null and b/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150555.jpg differ diff --git a/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150607.jpg b/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150607.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a63836 Binary files /dev/null and b/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150607.jpg differ diff --git a/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150608.jpg b/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150608.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7d293ee Binary files /dev/null and b/tower_images/IMG_20150621_150608.jpg differ diff --git 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