The NK2R 140 foot Rotating Tower Build in the Catskill Mountains!
🌄 The NK2R Build: A Ham Radio Masterpiece in the Catskills
Nestled on a stunning lake in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, the NK2R project is more than just another amateur radio installation—it’s a showcase of passion, precision, and innovation. Radio Echo Communications, led by Ray W2RE and his son Bobby KC2UPN, kicked off this ambitious project by handling all the groundwork. From pouring concrete and assembling rebar cages to preparing seven massive GXP antennas, every detail was meticulously planned.
When it came time to raise the towers, we brought in Nik from VC Towers, a master at getting even the tallest structures perfectly upright. The results? Jaw-dropping views and an installation unlike anything else in Ham radio today.
📸 Exclusive Photos & Videos
You’ll see footage you won’t find anywhere else in amateur radio—shorts, reels, and videos that have racked up millions of views across HamRadio 24/7 and VC Towers’ social media. Why? Because we go beyond the ordinary and showcase what others have never attempted.
Whether you’re a seasoned ham operator, a tower enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates extraordinary engineering, this blog is packed with behind-the-scenes insights, photos, and videos that tell the full story of this one-of-a-kind build.
Sit back, enjoy, and get inspired—this is Santos NK2R dream come true! We made this happen in 9 days!
The Beginning – The Day We Dig
It’s early July 2025. The morning sun casts a golden glow over the site, and you can feel the excitement in the air. In this photo, we stand at the very start of something huge — the day we dig. Every shovel in the dirt, every line drawn on paper, every plan coming to life is a step toward a vision that’s about to become reality. This is where it all begins. Here I am (Ray W2RE) going over plan with locals to start digging.
Before we dig deep into this project 🏗️, let’s talk about preparation 📝. Santos NK2R and I have been bouncing ideas back and forth on this project for two years ⏳. He had to navigate the planning board process 🏛️, which can be a long road.
I work with a lot of customers in the planning stage, and honestly, this is nothing new. The law of averages tells me that only about 1 in 10 projects ever come to fruition ⚖️. So, I guide the customer through these early stages, give advice, share options, but I don’t dive too deep until they have the permit in hand ✅ and give the green light to start ordering towers and antennas 📡.
Preparation isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about timing, patience, and knowing when to act 💡.
5×5×5 base for 4O3A base.
Now we start building antennas on site. 7 antennas in all. More on this later.
Here is Bobby building one of the 16-3 GXP Tribanders.
Breaking Ground on Something Historic ⚡
With some of the antennas built and the plan fully dialed in, it was time for the next big milestone: installing the very first 4O3A base in the USA. That’s right – a brand-new product introduced by Ranko 4O3A, and we were the first team to take on this challenge stateside.
The 4O3A base isn’t small potatoes. It has 4 legs, each needing 16 bolts carefully inserted into the concrete. Precision is everything – one misaligned bolt, and the whole setup could be compromised.
To make this happen, we had the full squad onsite. Nik from VC Towers joined our core team – the 3-man powerhouse that handles all major installs. Each member had a role, each move planned, and together we brought this new technology to life in the USA.
This was more than just a base installation – it was making history in ham radio, and we were there to witness it firsthand.
Time to Reach New Heights 🚀
With the base drilled and the motor testing rotation ✅, it’s go time. The next chapter: building the 140-foot rotating tower. 🏗️
Every section we lift, every bolt we tighten, brings this tower closer to the sky. From the solid foundation below to the antennas above, precision and teamwork are everything.
This is where the vision starts to take real shape – what was once a vacant lot is now becoming a ham radio MEGA Station ⚡
Stacking 14 sections with a gin-pole is no small feat – especially when you’re working with Rohn 55. Every lift, every alignment, every bolt takes focus and precision. ⚡
But here’s the thing: we’ve done this more than most. Years of experience and countless towers later, we’ve developed a routine that turns a huge challenge into smooth execution. 🛠️
It’s a mix of skill, teamwork, and a little bit of muscle – and seeing each section rise higher is a reminder of why we love what we do. From the ground to the sky, step by step, the vision becomes reality. 🌌
With 140’ tower built we start with the antennas. First one to be trammed up is GXP 4EL 40M!
And just like that – the GXP 4EL 40M and GXP 16-3 stacks are officially up! ⚡🏗️
It’s a huge milestone, but seeing them in action is even better. To really get a feel for the scale and precision, check out this long video – it’ll wet your appetite for what’s coming next! 🎥🔥
This video below is that antenna Nik is installing in the photo above.
Is this beautiful? We think so! Watch the video below in 4K!
Saved the Best for Last! 🎥🚁
I saved these two videos for the very last – and trust me, they’re worth it. 😎
For the full experience, watch them in 4K on YouTube. Captured from a drone, these shots give you a perfect perspective of this incredible QTH and all the hard work we put into the NK2R install. 🌅📡
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view – this is NK2R like you’ve never seen it before! 🌌✨
Check out this VIDEO - the finished product. 73, Ray W2RE
Every massive project starts small. For us, it began with concrete work that took about 4 hours. Sounds quick, right? But the prep behind it set the stage for everything to come.
We built 4 massive rebar cages and installed each one into its hole with precision. These cages are the backbone – the silent heroes that will hold up our 140-foot tower.
After the concrete pour, we waited about a month. Patience is key – rushing concrete is a rookie mistake, and we weren’t about to take shortcuts.
Now, the fun starts. With the foundation solid and ready, we’re moving on to the part everyone loves: building up. Tower sections, antennas, and that rotating magic – all coming together in a project that started as nothing more than an empty lot.
Ray going over the plan, stacking distances
💥 Action Shot! Here’s Ray W2RE drilling with laser focus 🛠️ while Bobby KC2UPN hammers in the expansion bolts like a pro 🔩💪.
Teamwork in action! Every bolt counts when you’re installing the first 4O3A base in the USA, and these two are making it happen. ⚡
This is the moment where precision meets muscle – and trust me, nothing beats seeing a plan come together one bolt at a time! 🚀
Ray preparing Rohn sections
Each section needs to be greased and cleaned of excess galvanizing from the factory.
Antennas Go Up! ⚡📡
Day #5 and the tower is fully erected – now comes the fun part: installing antennas! 🎯 We’re putting up 7 GXP antennas, each carefully positioned for peak performance.
Here’s the lineup and heights:
GXP 4EL 40M @ 135' 📶
GXP 16-3 stacks @ 120/80/40' 🌐
GXP 12/17 @ 95' ⚡
GXP 7EL 6M @ 52/30' 🌟
Watching these antennas rise is electrifying – each one a piece of the puzzle, turning a 140-foot tower into a true ham radio powerhouse. 💪🔩
Every bolt tightened, every cable secured, brings us closer to first transmission. This is what turning vision into reality looks like! 🚀
Nik installing first antenna!
As you can see, we captured a ton of footage of this install – because moments like this don’t come around every day! 🎥✨
Everything went smoothly and on schedule, but the work isn’t over yet. In October, we’ll be back to add 80/160 antennas for Santos – taking this tower to the next level. ⚡
This was a massive project, accomplished in just 9 days onsite. One thing that made it possible: we pre-built the antennas at our shop, saving our client 3–4 extra days in hotels or Airbnbs. 🛠️🏨
We always think about the client – that’s why we prebuild. It ensures all parts arrive perfectly, and it saves customers additional out-of-pocket expenses. Smart planning = happy clients! 💡✅
From empty lot to a fully operational 140-foot rotating tower – this is what precision, teamwork, and experience can achieve in just 9 days! 🌌💪
What a view! Top GXP 4EL 40M installed with second GXP 16-3 on tram-line
Nik installing the top GXP 16-3
140’ Rotating tower with 75 elements at NK2R!
This was such a fun project from start to finish! Working with Santos NK2R was an absolute pleasure. 🙌
He started out a bit anxious – it’s a big tower, after all! But as he watched our team in action, his nerves turned into excitement. By the end, he was relaxed and fully enjoying the process, seeing firsthand how we handle every step with precision and care. ⚡💪
A Fun Project with Great People! 😄📡
This was such a fun project from start to finish! Working with Santos NK2R was an absolute pleasure. 🙌
He started out a bit anxious – it’s a big tower, after all! But as he watched our team in action, his nerves turned into excitement. By the end, he was relaxed and fully enjoying the process, seeing firsthand how we handle every step with precision and care. ⚡💪
