What does a "RapUp" do?

It is a rapid deployment tower used to support numerous types of antennae, cameras, and electronic devices to heights of 6 to 150 feet, depending on the model.

The tower's height is infinitely variable from minimum to maximum height.

This Rapidly deployable mast will extend up to 150 feet within a period of 60 minutes, including initial set-up this has never before been achievable until "RapUp."

Technology (in RF, computer, antennae, microwave, surveillance, and television) has long been able to function well, but in rapid deployable and remote installation, this equipment has not been positional for full benefit of it's capabilities for the electronics available. With RapUp as the platform, now the full potential can be achieved.

The RapUp at 150 feet with a four-foot diameter dish on top.

How does RapUp do it?

The patented deployment tower system, RapUp, may be described as follows:

Three rolls of flat spring steel face each other in a triangle (three carpenter's tape measures).
The ribbons roll toward one another to form a triangular cross section.
The triangle is then wrapped with cable, creating a stiff tri-angle-shaped column or mast.
The mast is pulled through and pushed up by a mechanical mechanism and lifted by grooves in the three edges of the mast.
This process is reversed to retract the mast.
Technology to provide a rapid deployable compact tower which can reach heights in excess of 100 feet has lagged behind the systems which towers support.
RapUp takes tower technology to the next step by providing the capability of achieving maximum performance for radio, television, surveillance cameras, remote controlled loud speakers or any equipment requiring altitude.

This ejector will erect a 150 foot tower mast. This one is equipped with a folded unipole AM antenna.

What supports the tower?

The unique COMPUTER CONTROLLED GUY WIRE SYSTEM holds the mast vertical at all times during deployment and retraction, even in extreme wind loads and varying terrains (See Figure 1). A computer-controlled winch controls each guy wire. The winches and electronics are all stored on the trailer in a secure, weather-resistant manner. When the tower is in static-up-position, all tower electronics are inactive and the tower is held in its static position by the tension of the guy wires, as in any other guyed tower. During deployment and retraction, however, the COMPUTER CONTROLLED GUY WIRE SYSTEM constantly adjusts to keep the tower straight.

Terrain does not affect the deployment of RAPUP !

This tower is 150 feet with a folded unipole AM antenna. Shown are the guy lines, anchor, and sheave unit. The computer-con-trolled winches are mounted on the trailer. The lines run to the guy cables and are attached with a clamp. As the computer controlled lines are fed out or in, the guy cables run through the sheaves and up to the tower with adjusted lengths to enable the tower to remain vertical.

How long does it take to deploy a RapUp?

The RapUp 150 is deployable by three people within one hour (not including anchor placement in rocky or hard soils). If one person is employed, it may require an additional 45 minutes to deploy. The deployment involves leveling the trailer, setting anchors, running guy cables, placing anchor cable sheaves, and starting the generator. Once the deployment is completed, all the RapUp standard towers are designed to deploy at ten feet per minute; therefore, a 150-foot tower will require approximately 15 minutes of actual deployment time. The computer automatically controls the deployment of the tower, with the exception of the guy wires to the mast at designated locations. Retraction of the tower is just the reverse of deployment.

This unit shows the operator at the computer. The winches are on board the trailer as shown here to the right.

For further Information contact
Olivia Machine & Tower Inc.

BREAKTHROUGH TOWER TECHNOLOGY ! CALL US NOW

Terrain does not affect the deployment of RAPUP !

OLIVIA MACHINE AND TOWERS, LLC

815 Seawell Rosser Rd Sanford, N.C. 27332

Telephone: (919) 499-6021
Fax: (919) 499-6639
E-mail: omt@alltel.net

How is the Rap Up transported?

The standard models are transported on trailers using a ¾ ton light truck as the prime mover.
The RapUp 150 has been pulled across the United States behind a half-ton truck.
We recommend a vehicle such as the Humvee Tactical Utility Truck as the prime mover in military applications.
At the customer's request, any of the RapUp models may be mounted on skids, pallets, truck beds, or any other platform desired by the customer.
The RapUp is designed to be transported by a C-130 aircraft, sling loaded by helicopter, in 40 X 8 X 8 ISO units, in its own small van body and is air droppable.

Two men attach guy wires as the tower ascends or descends. The Computer automatically stops the tower and displays the appropriate set of guy wires to be attached.

How much does a RapUp weigh?

Different models have different weights. However, you will find attached a weight budget on the prototype RapUp 150. The trailer and storage boxes on this RapUp were not built with lightweight in mind. The weight budget, however, will give you an idea of the weights involved. The 6-inch by .060 inch band mast weighs 3.9 lbs. per linear foot.

The trailer has the Guy Winch System, ejector, and generator. "THE WEIGHT OF THIS RAPUP UNIT IS 7,880 POUNDS INCLUDING TRAILER."

RapUp 150 with 12 KW generator, 150-foot ejector, Computer Controlled Guy Wire System.

Weight Budget

The weight budget on the unit shown on this web site is approximately as follows:

Description Pounds

Ejector ------------------------------------1280
Ribbon -------------------------------------660
Winches (12) -----------------------------612
Cables and guys ------------------------235
Anchors and attachments --------------53
Guy Collars --------------------------------51
Boot -----------------------------------------45
Controls ------------------------------------89
Computer ----------------------------------27
UPS -----------------------------------------91
12 KW Generator ----------------------720

Total --------------------------------------3863

What is the life cycle of a RapUp?

The RapUp Tower System has been operated over 4,000 cycles. The only noticeable wear item is the wrap cable. It is considered a maintenance item. It should be replaced every 500 cycles. There has never been a failure of wrap cable in operation on the tower. The wrap cable is standard 3/32, 7X7, galvanized airplane cable and is inexpensive. The electronics are solid state, heavy commercial quality, and built in card rack modules for field servicing. The system runs its own diagnostics. The shock mounting and weather resistant compartments contribute to its reliability. This system may be designed to meet various weather hardening requirements.

Olivia Machine and Tower, LLC. A licensee of Rapid Development Towers, Inc. Fort Worth Texas.

OLIVIA MACHINE AND TOWERS, LLC

815 Seawell Rosser Rd Sanford, N.C. 27332

Telephone: (919) 499-6021
Fax: (919) 499-6639
E-mail: omt@alltel.net