Things we do for clear reception

[Comptech]

As you all know I have a tree problem. I decided to drop a 40 foot weed tree today, Lcals call it a bush berry, but anyway a hollow center and taking over the back of the house. Trunk is 20 feet down a steep grade and the top of the tree clears my two story house. I used to come alongs tied to bigger trees to pull it in a direction, but i will be damned, that SOB twisted and landed on the house. no damage to the house, but mangled my antenna farm.

 

[KE4EST]

Damn, sorry to hear that!!!!

 

[Comptech]

Sattelite is OK, Just OTA and scanner antennas are done. Brand new Sirio 5/8 ground plane antenna demolished, not even tuned yet.

 

[primestar31]

As you all know I have a tree problem. I decided to drop a 40 foot weed tree today, Lcals call it a bush berry, but anyway a hollow center and taking over the back of the house. Trunk is 20 feet down a steep grade and the top of the tree clears my two story house. I used to come alongs tied to bigger trees to pull it in a direction, but i will be damned, that SOB twisted and landed on the house. no damage to the house, but mangled my antenna farm.

I've done that myself with the come-alongs. The issue with doing it that way, is as soon as the tree is cut far enough to release some tension on the wire rope from the come-along, the tree can then twist anyway it wants to either side, instead of in the direction your come-along is pulling from.

So, the trick is to continue to WEDGE the tree as you cut it slow at first (good wedges, and at least a 4lb hammer or sledge to drive them), and make the last cut VERY FAST. If you do it that way and wedge it right, it's nearly impossible for it to do a sudden reverse twist.

 

[Comptech]

That sudden twist sent me and the saw two feet back on my ass. The hollow tree did not help. I knew it was hollow, but never realized it would split and do what gravity dictacted. The important thing is myself and the house is fine. The antennas, not so much.

 

[Comptech]

I've done that myself with the come-alongs. The issue with doing it that way, is as soon as the tree is cut far enough to release some tension on the wire rope from the come-along, the tree can then twist anyway it wants to either side, instead of in the direction your come-along is pulling from.

So, the trick is to continue to WEDGE the tree as you cut it slow at first (good wedges, and at least a 4lb hammer or sledge to drive them), and make the last cut VERY FAST. If you do it that way and wedge it right, it's nearly impossible for it to do a sudden reverse twist.

Now you tell me! Just glad I am here to bitch about it.

 

[primestar31]

Now you tell me! Just glad I am here to bitch about it.

Look on the bright side: Now you get to do a little research, and get some new antennas!

I suggest Televes Dat Boss, BUT, we'd really need to see a Rabbitears report to advise you as to which model would be your best bet. Run the report and post the results link here: RabbitEars.Info

 

[Comptech]

70 channels off the yagi 91 sitting on the front porch under the roof. my antenns direct VHF got destroyed

 

[cyberham]

The way a professional did it in our front yard for a tree dangerously close to the house:

Professional tree cut

 

[primestar31]

Here's 3 - 90' maple trees that a tree service took down in our neighborhood yesterday. They used 1 60' and 1 90' High Rangers

:

The COOLEST thing, is that these tree's were 475' in the direct path inline that my antenna was aiming at. So, it opened up a better window to 3 of my main stations. I'd bet this was around a $20k job, as they were only a few feet away from his house... Also, YES, those are power wires directly under the tree.

 

[Comptech]

Mike, if you hit the lottery I need about 40k to clear mine.

 

[Arion]

Last fall I rented a 55' diesel lift to cut down trees and limbs. Been a long time since I was in a harness and hard hat but about half as expensive as hiring a tree service. Still cost me about $1700 to rent that lift for three days though.