Building codes for antennas and radio towers???

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tspainiv

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Just wondering if any where is shelby co if there is building codes for putting up a radio tower ie. ham transmitter tower/recieving, scanner antenna and things like that. I live in Collierville and am just wondering if I would get into trouble with it.
 
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N_Jay

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tspainiv said:
Just wondering if any where is shelby co if there is building codes for putting up a radio tower ie. ham transmitter tower/recieving, scanner antenna and things like that. I live in Collierville and am just wondering if I would get into trouble with it.

Check with your local building department.
 
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N_Jay

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crashcrew said:
..good answer :lol:

Its the ONLY answer.

Of course that won't stop 50 other posts with "sugestions" from "experts"! :twisted: :wink:
 

tspainiv

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Well I called the city today.. and kinda got laughed at. They so no one has ever called them to ask about putting up a transmitting tower or antennas. They said they would do some research and call me back :roll:
 

tspainiv

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Well the city called me back today, they said there are no codes as to size, type, placement, whatever of antennas OR towers. Hrmm, now where's that 50ft tower at??? :p
 

Al42

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Suggestion:

If you put up a 50 foot tower (modify as appropriate for other heights) make sure it's at least 50 feet from any property line. That way, if it does fall for any reason, all of it will fall on your property.
 
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N_Jay

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tspainiv said:
Well the city called me back today, they said there are no codes as to size, type, placement, whatever of antennas OR towers. Hrmm, now where's that 50ft tower at??? :p

Get that in writing.

Building departments can be a pain in the butt!
 

jim202

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You will find there is a couple of sections in the NEC (National Electrical Code) that covers the grounding of radio towers and other telecommunications antenna structures. In a few simple words, make sure that you have at least one good ground rod and appropriate connections to the tower. Exothermic welded connects is the best.

Use of at least a # 2 wire is a good move. If you have poor soil resistance, then it may take more than one ground rod to get the resistance below the goal of no more than 25 ohms. The telecommunication companies look for 5 ohms. If you need more than one ground rod, space them out with no less than 16 feet between the 8 foot rods. This comes from the cone of influence that is around each rod. If they are spaced closer, your waisting your money. The rods interact within the cone and can't provide the minimum resistance under a lightning strike.

Jim



N_Jay said:
tspainiv said:
Well the city called me back today, they said there are no codes as to size, type, placement, whatever of antennas OR towers. Hrmm, now where's that 50ft tower at??? :p

Get that in writing.

Building departments can be a pain in the butt!
 

tspainiv

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I wasn't serious about the 50 ft tower, that might be over kill. For now its just an Antennacraft ST2 on the roof. But maybe eventually when I get a ham license and some more radio equipment, i'll eventually put up a tower. Thanks for the advise on the tower and antennas though, I really would hate to fry everything I've worked so hard on.
 

LarrySC

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Friend of mine built an new house a few years back. House was in a restricted area for ant's etc. Had contractor build a chimmey box to side of 2 story house. Put terra-coter pipes on top. Looked REAL. Put several FM ham ant's and an HF vertical in the boxed in area and had access from door on the back side. Had ladder inside as part of boxing. To this day no one knows he doesnt have a fire place.
 

INDY72

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I know in the Raleigh area.. there are several interesting ants.... especially one near my home its a 30 footer VHF HAM rig,,,, quads multidirectional yagis....
 

mmartinfan

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LarrySC said:
Friend of mine built an new house a few years back. House was in a restricted area for ant's etc. Had contractor build a chimmey box to side of 2 story house. Put terra-coter pipes on top. Looked REAL. Put several FM ham ant's and an HF vertical in the boxed in area and had access from door on the back side. Had ladder inside as part of boxing. To this day no one knows he doesnt have a fire place.


Thats funny right there don't care who you are thats funny :lol: :lol: :lol:
 

tspainiv

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LarrySC said:
Friend of mine built an new house a few years back. House was in a restricted area for ant's etc. Had contractor build a chimmey box to side of 2 story house. Put terra-coter pipes on top. Looked REAL. Put several FM ham ant's and an HF vertical in the boxed in area and had access from door on the back side. Had ladder inside as part of boxing. To this day no one knows he doesnt have a fire place.

very clever indeed
 

Gatorman

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Collierville Tower

Collierville and all of Shelby County is covered by the Shelby County Zoning regs. There IS an ordinance that relates to towers in Shelby County. If you are a licensed amateur radio op, you can erect one antenna up to 65' not including the mast. You can't put up a structure like this without a building permit in Shelby County. Further, you need to find out if there are any deed restrictions where your home is located. You would find that in your deed, etc.

Germantown has a height limit of 35'. I would be surprised if there wasn't a deed restriction involving an antenna in the neighborhood where you reside unless it is an older neighborhood, non sub-division, etc.
 

tspainiv

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I figured there had to be some kind of limit on height or posistion. I don't have my ham license yet but maybe in the future. All I'm putting up for now is an antenna for my scanner, an Antennacraft ST2. It says it's about 8 feet tall. It's going on the back of the house on the side so no one would see it anyway. Thanks for clarifying the codes though, I appreciate it!!!
 

Gatorman

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You are welcome. When/if you decide to put up a tower, do your homework. Make sure you have all your bases covered and take your time. It will save you a lot of heartache and possibly money in the long run. Solicit opinions from those who have put up big towers. Plan, plan, plan. When you are finished, plan some more.

I think you may have been given some bad advice by the folks at Collierville. What they meant to say is the city itself might not have any specific requirements regarding towers/antennas, like Germantown, but they neglected to tell you that anything you erect is going to fall under the jurisdiction of Shelby County Zoning.

That is a fact. The folks over there are very helpful. Stop by sometime and see them. They are out at Shelby Farms. Get a copy of the ordinances and tell them where you live. It never hurts to get a second opinion. If Collierville gives you bad info and you get caught up later, they won't take responsibility for it. I can assure you that it is imperative to have that final permit in hand when one of your neighbors shows up *****ing about TVI or the general esthetic issue of your structure.

Good luck.
 
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