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10-Year-Old's 62-Ft. Ham Radio Tower In Jeopardy

DToTheJ

DToTheJ

A 10-year-old Wisconsin boy may have to give up his ham radio hobby, due to permit issues surrounding the 62-foot tower that was erected in his family's backyard. The boy's mother assured that everything that went into putting up the tower "to our knowledge (was) very legally."

There are also safety concerns regarding the tower. One neighbor is quoted as calling it a "monstrosity" and worries that it might topple over and hurt his own son if he plays in the backyard.

Incidentally, the 10-year-old's mother laments that he cannot play outside "and he gets really depressed and upset." The boy suffers from cerebral palsy.

The fate of the tower will be decided by the village's zoning board this afternoon.

Full story:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/91663619.html
 
“We have a 6 year old son and he plays in the backyard and if that were to come down.....”


Then it would probably miss him you moron. Uuugh, these people just kill me. When did we as a society, start automaticly fearing the worst in every situation?
 
I hate people like this. The odds that her kid would be in the exact spot, at the exact time, IF the tower fell are probably 1,000,000 to 1.

I hope they avoid tall trees too... never know when one might just topple over on you....
 
Lazy J said:
...The odds that her kid would be in the exact spot, at the exact time, IF the tower fell are probably 1,000,000 to 1.
Click to expand...

An attorney representing the family agrees:
http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_df182032-4d87-11df-a5dc-001cc4c03286.html

He cited statistics from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicating that towers rarely topple the full distance of their height. Even if a collapse took it across property lines, he said it would land on a fence, vacant land, a garage or some trees...
 
You can't say "never" on that one, as I have seen them fall straight out when a whole guy anchor fails - including the one that came down a month after I told the owner to get his tower man there pronto - but odds are they crumple straight down from overloading or fatigue.
 
Bengalsfan said:
“We have a 6 year old son and he plays in the backyard and if that were to come down.....”


Then it would probably miss him you moron. Uuugh, these people just kill me. When did we as a society, start automaticly fearing the worst in every situation?
Click to expand...
My next door neighbor was at my zoning hearing nearly 20 years ago...and he pulled out the "If I'm outside in my yard when a tornado comes along, that thing might fall on me" card. The zoning board attorney (who's supposed to be neutral) had an incredulous look on his face when he turned around, addressed the neighbor by name & said "If a tornado were on the way, I don't think I'd be out in the yard myself". Brought the house down with laughter & I won the vote 5-0. Tower's been erected since 1992 & ya know what, it still hasn't fallen on him.
 
What happened to PRB-1? I thought all this was settled in 1985 and that federal regulations pre-empted silly local ones like this.
 
BobOnTheJob said:
Bengalsfan said:
“We have a 6 year old son and he plays in the backyard and if that were to come down.....”


Then it would probably miss him you moron. Uuugh, these people just kill me. When did we as a society, start automaticly fearing the worst in every situation?
Click to expand...
My next door neighbor was at my zoning hearing nearly 20 years ago...and he pulled out the "If I'm outside in my yard when a tornado comes along, that thing might fall on me" card. The zoning board attorney (who's supposed to be neutral) had an incredulous look on his face when he turned around, addressed the neighbor by name & said "If a tornado were on the way, I don't think I'd be out in the yard myself". Brought the house down with laughter & I won the vote 5-0. Tower's been erected since 1992 & ya know what, it still hasn't fallen on him.
Click to expand...

Expressing a thought like that, how could he show is face anymore around town? That has got to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard about towers. I keep waiting for all the owners of the new multi-million dollar homes up on the Knobs start to raise a fuss, they have been quiet for a while now.
 
I would like to see pictures of the tower,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Guy
 
My 60 foot tower got a cease and desist letter although local zoning had no restriction. Someone had complained was the ultimate answer as to why. People put up tv towers unrestricted. There is a federal law related to tv reception. Ham radio too.

A local ham replaced his tower and got a zoning hearing in which his tower was declared illegal. nasty zoning hearing blaming him for everything from cancer to eclipse of the sun. After the meeting a llocal attorney noted the indiana law allowing hams to have a minimum 75 foot tower.

In Marion County I could legally erect a 100 foot tower as long as I had the permits. When I asked a second time in Hancock county, with the information the other ham had received and displayed to the county I was asked to pay a 26.00 application fee. The law notes a fee is in error as there should be no fee.

437,000 lbs of concrete later (108 cubic feet) my 120 foot tower was erected using a 300 foot crane requiring a road permit. The neighbors griped it must be taller than that, blocked the crane (after it was already lifting) , took pictures, griped like heck. (I had a permit though) The zoning administrator came and measured it with a tape measure before we put it up to make sure the height was actually 120 feet. It looked taller up close. Because it was longer than my lot it went up in 2 sections. We have had 80 mph sustained winds. The tower is larger than my lot in height and would fall on a national highway or local road if it fell straight.

I regularly check the bolts and rust to make sure it doesn't fall. I like my tower. I think there must be someone who is un happy in the neighborhood or they haven't seen the national laws related to amateur radio.

Looks like a rohn tower. and doubtful it would fall. Good luck kid!

What was Earl Pitts sign off line?
 
I think the mother stated it was a homemade tower, if i am not wrong. I would like to see better pictures, to see the base.
Guy
 
Home meade tower is sometimes used to describe towers which are self erected. Looking at the pictures it looks like a Rohn.
 
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