How to Install an Antenna Tower in the Backyard

Preparing the Base of the Tower

• 1

  Choose a suitable site to install the base of the antenna tower. An ideal location has level ground for preassembling the tower while it lies flat on the ground. The site also should have no overhead cables or other obstacles that would keep the tower from being rotated into its final position.

• 2

  Dig a hole the size and depth specified in the antenna tower manufacturer's instructions.

• 3

  Attach the bottom 10-foot section of the tower to the steel base anchors and lower it into the hole.

• 4

  Construct a simple slab form using 2-by-4 lumber to support the tower base while pouring the concrete.

• 5

  Adjust the tower as necessary to get it completely plumb as indicated by a carpenter’s level.

• 6

  Fill your hole with concrete. Allow three to four days for the concrete to set up. While the concrete is setting up, all three base legs must be kept parallel.

Constructing the Tower

• 7

  Place each 10-foot tower section flat on the ground, end to end, in the order they will be assembled, largest to smallest reaching out from the base.

• 8

  Remove a bolt from each front leg and two from the rear leg of the bottom 10-foot section.

• 9

  Connect the remaining tower sections. Attach any accessories such as rotor shelves, rotors, mast pipes, antennas, coaxial and rotor cables to the tower.

• 10

  Walk the fully assembled tower up into its upright position with the help of several people, ideally one for each 10-foot section.

• 11

  Replace the base bolts to secure the antenna tower.