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    "You Load 16 Tons And What Do You Get?"

    By Murray Green, K3BEQ
    k3beq@arrl.net
    June 17, 2005


    I believe those are the opening words to a song made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Although recorded a long time ago, it can be compared to a recent project accomplished through the combined efforts of members of four DC-area Amateur Radio clubs--The Green Mountain Repeater Association, the District of Columbia Metropolitan ARC, the Laurel ARC and the Prince George's County (MD) ARES/RACES.

    When Keith Poptanich, KB3EGL, purchased a 700 pound crank-up tower from a local ham, the call went out for help. That call was answered!

    A call for help, a combined club member response, some planning, strong backs and one heck of a driver got the job done. Participants Keith, KB3EGL; Jim, WI3N; HD, K3HDM; Ev, WA3DVO; Ken, KB3IIE; Cape, N3TTX; Jim, WA3NSI (being a sight-impaired ham did not deter Jim); Lee, KM3DR; Bob, KC3VO; Jim, KB3KHL, and non-ham Rick. These guys have a lot of talent in areas other than radio--it took some doing to plan, maneuver, carry and drive 700 pounds of steel across town, but as one of them said at the end of the job: "Piece of cake."

    Getting ready to lift 700 pounds of steel.

    Nine hams and one non-ham on their way...

    ...through the fence and around the bend...

    ...to a waiting trailer hitched to a heavy duty truck (see next photo).

    From here the tower was taken across town to the home of KB3EGL.


       



    Page last modified: 08:00 AM, 20 Jun 2005 ET
    Page author: awextra@arrl.org
    Copyright © 2005, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.