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Re: [TowerTalk] Guying 90 foot Alloy vertical

To: Dino Darling <dino@k6rix.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Guying 90 foot Alloy vertical
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:49:19 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Dino Darling wrote:
> This is sold at DX Engineering, Ham Radio Outlet, Radio Works, etc...
>   
Radio Parts, The RFConnection, Davis , and who knows who else.
 
However the same size may not be the same rope.  Check to see what they 
have I have.  I've purchased from the last three listed  and each was a 
bit different .  I use the 1/4" double braid as  a back guy for my 
raising fixture on the 40' foot tower.  The fixture is a 30' 25G while 
the 40 footer is an Aluminum tower hinged at the base and bracketed at 
roughly 14'.  It's self supporting above the bracket but as it only 
holds the AV640 there isn't a whole lot of load on it.  However that 
AV640 extends another 28' or so which means the top is about 56 feet 
above the bracket and 70 feet above the base so there is a lot of 
leverage there even if it doesn't weigh a lot.

As for the rope used to raise the tower, it's 1/2" multiple braid 
through pulleys giving a 2:1 mechanical advantage which allows me to 
raise the 40 footer by my self although I do usually have some one there 
to put in the base pin on the back leg.  I can do it by my self, but 
it's a WHOLE LOT easier when some one takes care of the tower base.

I use both 3/16 and 5/15 on the 45G with pulleys at 98'. These are for 
pulling up the center fed half wave slopers, tram lines, parts, and what 
have you when I'm working "up there.

Just remember to melt the ends after you cut them. (And WEAR leather 
gloves. Touch that melted Poly and it WONT let go without taking skin 
with it)<G>   The melted ends mold easily. I do use cable thimbles on 
the ends and swivel snaps of sufficient strength.   Those make hooking 
things on the end of the cables much easier.

Several nice things about this poly rope is: relatively little stretch, 
light weight, flexible, strong, and very inexpensive. Had I known about 
it sooner I could have saved a bunch as I purchased a 1000 foot spool of 
3/16" Nylon rope about 3 weeks before I found the poly rope.  It runs 3 
to 4 times as much and stretches like crazy.  However, beware of the 
small pulleys they sell. Those are only rated for 30 to 40 pounds  for 
the small ones.  You can get larger ones of that type rated for up to 
around 170# which is plenty sufficient for this type of work. If you use 
it on a gin pole, get some "good" pulleys with ratings corresponding to 
the poly rope used.

As to the strength needed,  what is the weight of the mast and how is it 
going to be raised? That is the point where the rope is going to have 
the most stress on it.    A falling derrick or raising fixture increases 
the pull angle and reduces the stress on the rope.  I'd be a bit leery 
of only 450# breaking strength of the twine.

73 and good luck,

Roger (K8RI)
> 3/16 should do it.  5/16 if you really want to be sure.  I don't have
> the specific answer to your question however.
>
> http://www.synthetictextilesinc.com/supportham.html
>
> Dino - K6RIX
> dino@k6rix.com
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Guying 90 foot Alloy vertical
> From: "Allan Greening" <vk3pa@vk3pa.com>
> Date: Sun, November 09, 2008 10:46 pm
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>
> Wot breaking strain cable do i need for guying my 90 ft 3 inch dia alloy
> mast I have 4 to guy. the top 34 ft is top loading wire for 160m 4 sq..
> has any tried hay bayling rope? it has a knot strength of 450 pounds es
> should be UV safe!! MICE EAT the hay es not the bayling string es lasts
> for years in the paddock hi hi.. THE NEW BLUE TYPE, well here in
> vkland!!
>
>
>
>
>
> ..
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