The Gilbert Lodge Blog from Brainerd, MN, USA

November 14, 2003

A crew of two men from Holden Electric arrived to erect the communications tower.  There are three 20-foot sections of tower bolted together for 60 feet of length on the ground behind the truck. 

(Click on the photo or here for a larger view.) 

November 14, 2003

The truck boom has the tower raised almost into position.  The lift point is just above center.        

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November 14, 2003

Paula is on the left, in light blue, using a 2 x 4 wood lever to rotate the tower into the correct orientation.  Mark is on the right inserting a bolt to connect the raised portion of the tower to the bottom section of the tower that is already embedded in concrete.    

(Click on the photo or here for a larger view.)     

November 14, 2003

Here they are again finishing bolting the sections together.  These guys listen to KUAL, 101.5 FM Radio in Crosby, MN.      

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November 14, 2003

The tower now stands about 66 feet above the concrete pad.  In total, there is 80 feet of tower, of which about 14 feet are buried in the ground.  The concrete pad is 4 ft x 4 ft by 4 ft.  Less than one foot is above the surface of the ground. 

The tower is strong enough so that it is self supporting....not requiring guy lines.  

The tower will have commercial and ham radio communications antennas installed as soon as Mark can find the time.        

(Click on the photo or here for a larger view.)