The next stage of the new mast – Mounting the pivot pins in concrete

My new Alimast from Aerial-Parts of Colchester tilts over using a pivot system and so the ground anchor consists of two pivot pins mounted in the ground.  These two pins have been linked together for ease of securing in concrete and to add a little extra resistance against pulling out of the ground.  Here you can see the two pivot pins with a piece of angle ali holding them together, attached to the end of the mast.  Note that they’re sitting 180 degrees out for the purpose of the picture, the pins would normally be below the ground.

Pivot pins and anchor piece attached to the mast

Pivot pins and anchor piece attached to the mast

After a week spent thinking about the two utility pipes that were visible in the hole we dug last weekend it was decided that we’d cover them back up in mud and move my mast further away from the wall.  None of us were really confident or happy to sleeve the pipes so it was a simple matter to cover them back up and extend the hole further out.

The modified hole, moved further away and the pipes covered up

The modified hole, moved further away and the pipes covered up

Once that was done, the pile of rubble and earth were dumped in the skip I’d hired.  I had some other stuff to dispose of as well and it turns out that I ordered exactly the right size skip as over the course of the weekend we filled it right up to the top.

Colin, Yan and Chris loading rubble into a wheelbarrow

Colin, Yan and Chris loading rubble into a wheelbarrow

Chris and Yan unloading into the skip

Chris and Yan unloading into the skip

M6GSD and M1EAK bending fencing pins for home made rebar

M6GSD and M1EAK bending fencing pins for home made rebar

Home made rebar in the hole

Home made rebar in the hole

Mixing the first load of concrete

Mixing the first load of concrete

The first load of concrete goes into the hole

The first load of concrete goes into the hole

Getting ready to mount the baseplate in the concrete

Getting ready to mount the baseplate in the concrete

The hole is filling up and the pivot pins are in roughly the right place

The hole is filling up and the pivot pins are in roughly the right place

 

Lining everything up

Lining everything up

Colin starts to smooth off the concrete

Colin starts to smooth off the concrete

The base all floated off and ready to be covered

The base all floated off and ready to be covered

 

Closeup of the pivot pins - We mounted a 2p coin from 2011 in the concrete

Closeup of the pivot pins - We mounted a 2p coin from 2011 in the concrete

Covered up, ready for the forecasted rain

Covered up, ready for the forecasted rain

It was a good job it was covered, the rain did come in torrents.  We had a massive thunderstorm and it rained for the best part of a couple of hours.  This morning I’ve removed the cover and taken the supporting poles and wood away.  Unfortunately because it wasn’t possible to float under the wood or the poles, I’m left with a base which isn’t perfect over the entire surface and at one place the covering must have touched the top surface but none of that really matters.  I’m very happy with what I’ve got here.  it’s still damp outside and I’m sure the colour will become more even as it all dries out.

The pivot pins and earth rods in the newly laid concrete

The pivot pins and earth rods in the newly laid concrete

Closeup of the pivot pins, earth rods and 2011 2p coin in the centre of the new concrete

Closeup of the pivot pins, earth rods and 2011 2p coin in the centre of the new concrete

Over the next week I hope to be able to assemble the rest of the Alimast sections and then the next stage will be to get the bracket built for the side of the house and a winch and pulley organised.  The project is moving along nicely and I don’t see it being many more weeks until everything is complete.

Once again, I extend my thanks to (in no particular order) Colin, M1EAK, Chris, M6GSD and Yan, M0YNK for their assistance this weekend.  The whole job went really quickly and I think that everything was done within three hours or so, thanks guys.

Additional
I’ve just had a look and it’s already drying out nicely and the colour is becoming more even.  I’ve stood the base section of the Alimast in position to get an idea of how it’s going to look.  I like it, the XYL isn’t quite so sure though!

Alimast sitting on the new concrete

Alimast sitting on the new concrete

3 Comments

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  1. looking good keith be nice to see it all complete speak later chris

  2. WOW great work looks good,

  3. Nice photo report Keith. Looking fine. I had a Alu mast like yours in the nineties but sold it after I bought a versatower. It’s lightweigted until you have the antennas mounted…..
    By the way, I like your car number plates. 73, Bas

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