I've been pretty lucky here as well.
I've managed to become friends and gotten allot of respect from some very 
technically able, and willing hams in the area.
When we recently put up the full sized carolina windom, and the dual band 
VHF/UHF antennas, we initially had 2 people, plus myself, for the 
project...by the time we were done we had four plus myself just from making 
it known on the repeater that we were working on the project that afternoon.
Both push ups, and the 132ft windom, as well as the dual band antenna, 
including all coax, routing, and connecters at the feedpoints and in the 
shack, was completed in 4 hours.
I think that was mostly because 2 of the three helpers are very experienced 
antenna and tower installers that can look at a situation and pretty much 
know how things are going to go from the beginning.
But at any rate, I just had to ask, and didn't really offer a whole lot in 
return, like the typical pizza and beer or whatever...everyone had other 
things to do later in the day, but chose to take some time out, if for no 
other reason to get the project started.  It was just lucky we finished 
everything in one afternoon.
Allot of that was my being well prepared ahead of time though.  I had all 
the parts and pieces and most of the tools layed out and ready to go before 
anyone showed up.
Conversely, I helped one of those same helpers, a month before, go up and 
retune his dual band VHF/UHF antenna.  It took us 8 hours by the time all 
was said and done because he was not prepared ahead of time.

So, I think if you make sure that who ever you might ask for help, knows 
that it'll be as simple as it can be to give you a hand, I think they're 
more willing.
Or, if you show up at a club meeting with the stuff you need help with, and 
make it known that you would like some help, someone will come out of the 
wood work...either at the break or end of the meeting, or will make 
arrangements to come by and help.

73
Colin, V A6BS
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 9:15 AM
Subject: helpers needed


> Hi;
> Just so folks don't feel alone, moved to this house four years ago.
> That spring got in contact with most radio clubs and said I would love
> help with a vertical or dipole.  Didn't get much reply.  Took a cab to
> one of the larger clubs and the president drove me home and said to his
> friends that he would catch up with them for coffee after he dropped me
> off.  Wondered why I wasn't invited to the party.  He also suggested
> that there was a club much closer to my home that I should check out.
> Would that have happened to a new potential non disabled member?
> Checked out the closer club and they did help me put up a hf9v in 2010.
>  They were going to stop back and finish the job. 18 months later
> nothing and I keep going to meetings and they keep saying one of these
> days.  Initially the antenna had to come down to be re-tuned.  It
> resonates quite nicely on 27 MHz.  There were three people working on
> the job, one had never touched an antenna in her life, on was also new
> and one was the president who is a ve but has no home station.
> As for arr, back in the 1980s there was a local ham store that would put
> up antennas for a price.  It was wonderful, no need to beg.
> Unfortunately I had unbelievable tvi problems.  One neighbor threatened
> legal action.  I contacted arrl and asked if they had anyone in the area
> who might help put up something less likely to interfere.  They sent
> over a wonderful guy that actually worked with my dad 20 years ago only
> problem was he was in his 80s.  Thinking back he could have taught me a
> lot even if nobody climbed.
> Contacted arrl again when I moved to this qth in 2008 and got a reply
> that the person in charge of this area knew just where I lived because
> he had grandparents in the area.  Sounded very hopeful but that was the
> last I heard.
> I guess my conclusion after rambling is if there is a competent-ant ham!
> store in the area who will do antenna work its worth every penny.  Club
> folks, especially older ones might be very helpful in advising what to
> put up.  I went through two miniquads each lasted about a year.  Then
> there were my adventures with the r8.  Durable is just as important as
> performance.
> Also finding eager helpers is an art.  Some folks seem to be very good
> at and others such as yours truly are hopeless.  Maybe handihams should
> teach a course in how best to talk your club into helping?  They have
> suggested lots of food and beer and make sure you have every imaginable
> part but I think there may be more to it.
> -- 
> richard