Thanks everyone for your comments. My real concern was that someone would say
something like, "Oh no no, don't ever use those." I'm not hearing that so all
is good.
My actual application is pretty modest. I have a Rohn 45 series, 45' tall
foldover tower. With the modest tri-band antenna (Optibeam 7-3) on top there
isn't much wind load and the tower would probably free stand. (Photo at
https://qrz.com/db/N7WS) However, guying is required, primarily when it's being
folded over. So there is one set of four guys just below the hinge point
(~22'). Currently, I'm using 5/16" EHS and wire rope clips just because that is
what was on hand when I put this up 20 years ago. The only reason for a change
is that I'm contemplating shunt feeding the tower and need to insulate the guy
wires.
I've never liked climbing towers and at age 75 I like it even less, so quick and
easy are pluses.
So, 90% strength is still overkill and if you look at the picture you can see
that icing isn't much of a problem:-) My electric co-op uses these things like
crazy.
Next issue is insulators. DX Engineering has their bent pin
shackles/insulators, but they charge three prices for them and then sell them in
sets of three and I need four. Looking for a lower cost solution.
Wes N7WS
On 12/27/2016 3:58 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
There are many choices - big grips, Spelter sockets, taper sockets, Nicopress
sleeves, swaged fittings, and wire rope clips (probably the worst of the
foregoing). Each has to be properly installed to attain the predicted percent
of break strength for the wire rope.
What is sold to the utilities industry probably performs as advertised. So if
90% of break strength is ok instead of 100% with big grips then use them. If
they are re-useable then that is a plus over grips. Perhaps it is also easier
to adjust the cable length, but I've never used them. Besides the internal
taper+sleeve holding the wire rope, I think the OD taper is designed to shed
heavy icing, which sliding down long guys can unwrap grips if they are not
properly prepped.
lots to learn from the Crosby catalog, download
http://www.thecrosbygroup.com/catalog/catalog-download/
Some technical info on these dead ends would be nice to have.
Grant KZ1W
On 12/27/2016 11:39 AM, Wes Stewart wrote:
From what I've read in the archives and elsewhere, "Big Grips" are the
default standard for terminating tower guy wires.
That said, other than cost, is there some good reason to avoid the
"automatic" vise type of termination? Example:
http://www.endurancehardware.com/5guysttevi.html
Thanks, Wes N7WS
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