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Re: [TowerTalk] Guy tension gauge

To: kdutson@sbcglobal.net
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Guy tension gauge
From: "Steve, NR4M" <steve@nr4m.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2020 09:47:57 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Yeah.

Didn’t mention that I use two transits set up at right angles to two of guys. 
Being a bit OCD, this works out fine, as I can get the tower super straight. 

Steve

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 26, 2020, at 8:49 AM, kdutson@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> 
> I can relate to this.  My 150 foot Rohn 45 was erected in 1999 by a team of 
> friends led by a veteran ham friend tower erector.  I chose Phillystran 6700 
> pound strength using PLP Big Grip dead ends.  As recommended, the Phillystran 
> is terminated about 15 feet above ground level to avoid damage from grass 
> fires.  The last run to the elevated guy poles is 1/4 EHS.  A LOOS tension 
> gauge was used on the EHS.  The guys are attached at 35, 70, 110 and 150 feet.
> 
> On the top is a Force-12 C4-XL antenna rotated by a Yaesu 2800.  While 
> setting up the rotor direction, we noticed a significant amount of twist when 
> the antenna was rotated.  The veteran recommended a three point guy bracket 
> to limit the twist.  I bought one from Norm's Fabrication.  I hired a 
> professional tower climber to install this bracket at 140 feet.
> 
> Before the climber arrived, I inspected the tower and found it looked like a 
> snake when viewed from the tower base.  I adjusted each set of guys so that 
> the tower is now straight.  I used a plumb bob at 35 feet to adjust the lower 
> set of guys prior to setting the rest.  I did not use the LOOS gauge, but 
> adjusted the turnbuckles using a Crescent wrench to approximate equal force.  
> This required a lot of walking to-from each guy post, and back to the base to 
> view straightness.  This was several years ago.  Before each climb, I check 
> for straightness.  No adjustment has been necessary since the initial setting.
> 
> I have three more towers to erect, but not sure if and when this will happen. 
>  I purchased these towers and about 10,000 feet of Phillystran from a ham 
> that had a superstation that was dismantled when he moved out-of-state.  They 
> are all Rohn 55.  They will be installed using experience gained from the 
> present tower.
> 
> 73, Keith NM5G
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> On Behalf Of Grant Saviers
> Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 9:29 PM
> To: Tower Talk <TowerTalk@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Guy tension gauge
> 
> The tensions equalize if the tower is sufficiently flexible.  Then the tower 
> might be pulled out of column at that guy, which is a really great way to 
> induce a tower to fail.  Tighten each guy to achieve equal tensions WITH the 
> tower in column.
> 
> Grant KZ1W
> 
>> On 11/25/2020 16:39, Steve, NR4M wrote:
>> Hello Wayne,
>> 
>> What is the Loos gauge telling you?
>> Those things were intended for the type of cable used on boat rigging. They 
>> probably do that just fine.
>> The finer stranding of the boat cable deflects more easily than the EHS 
>> cable would, so I think all bets are off as far as accuracy goes.
>> The best you can do with a Loos gauge, and it probably does it just fine, is 
>> show you if the EHS tension is equal.
>> But, if I recall my physics correctly, -if- all guys at any given level are 
>> identical ( same distance to each guy anchor, etc) then the tension on any 
>> one will be the same as the other two.
>> I have a nice, brand new tension dynamometer and I have been intending for 
>> several years on taking pieces of 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 inch EHS, putting 
>> them in series with each other and the dynamometer between BIG trees, and 
>> try and calibrate a large Loos gauge.
>> 
>> Just everyone be careful.
>> 
>> 73 de Steve, NR4M
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Nov 25, 2020, at 7:03 PM, Wayne Kline <w3ea@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> John,
>>> 
>>> Having used  Phillystran  I had either 3/16 , ¼ or 5/16 EHS cable  
>>> terminated to the ground  anchor/turnbuckle   I use a LOOSE gauge
>>> This is not as accurate as a dynamo meter. BUT IMO for amature applications 
>>>   it fits the bill.
>>> I have never used it on  Phillystran directly  on  the steel tail ends ..
>>> 
>>> Wayne ,W3EA
>>> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for 
>>> Windows 10
>>> 
>>> From: John Simmons<mailto:jasimmons@pinewooddata.com>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 6:23 PM
>>> To: Tower Talk<mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Guy tension gauge
>>> 
>>> Are there gauges available for Phillystran?
>>> 
>>> --
>>> 73,
>>> -de John NI0K
>>> https://www.qrz.com/db/NI0K
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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