Warning: Common guy wire mistake

[k4kyv]

When using Big Grip pre-forms to attach insulators to break up guy wires, there are two sets of paint marks to indicate where to begin to wrap the preformed ends. You are supposed to use the 2nd set of marks for insulators. Unfortunately this information isn't widely disseminated or known to amateurs so a common mistake is to begin wrapping at the first set of paint marks. Probably not a fatal error - but a mistake.

I committed that error when I replaced the insulators on the bottom set of guys on my tower, probably 8 or 10 years ago. I recall a very sketchy set of written instructions including photos showing how to install the grips, but absolutely no mention of insulators or why there were two sets of paint marks. I would not have had a clue even to this day, if I hadn't run across the information while searching the web for a replacement climbing belt/harness.

I wonder why the manufacturer doesn't prominently include this in the instructions that come with each order. I'm not sure I received any paper instructions at all, and may have seen the sketchy information in the Rohn tower book or elsewhere. This may explain a mysteriously broken insulator on my tower - the Big Grip puts too much pressure on the insulator if the first mark is used.

Incidentally, another mistake some amateurs are likely make is to use utility pole guy grips on guyed towers. According to the manufacturer, who makes both types, the cheaper utility pole grips are not satisfactory for tower use, even though the physical appearance of the two types is nearly identical.

[wa9cwx]

I use the grips, but not insulators on my guys.
But thanks for the posting.

I do not think that many hams do the breaking up of the guy lines to eliminate resonant lines anymore, but that was VERY popular in the 50s and 60s.

I do not remember grips from years ago, only more recently. How long have they been around, anyone know?

[k4kyv]

They have been around at least since the 70's. Since I use my tower as a 160m vertical radiator, I had no choice about breaking them up. I probably used overkill, breaking them up every 18 feet, but I wanted the guys to be rf transparent at least through 40m, so I have over 100 guy insulators. All but the bottom set use three cable clamps finished with cable serving, per the Rohn book. The bottom set uses the grips, because I had to replace the insulators, which all got damaged by a freak lightning strike (upper guy levels were undamaged).

[k9kjm]

The use of "Phillystran" instead of conventional preforms (Or cable clamps) and insulators at first glance may seem kind of high priced...... #
http://www.phillystran.com/163.htm

However, By the time you add up all the preforms or clamps and insulators, Plus the time needed to install them, Phillystran seems like a much better deal.
Note that Phillystran requires special preforms!

[ka0gkt]

Quote[/b] (k9kjm @ Aug. 06 2006,22:24)]The use of "Phillystran" instead of conventional preforms (Or cable clamps) and insulators at first glance may seem kind of high priced...... #
http://www.phillystran.com/163.htm

However, By the time you add up all the preforms or clamps and insulators, Plus the time needed to install them, Phillystran seems like a much better deal.
Note that Phillystran requires special preforms!
Also note, Phillystran is flamable and should not be used where flames could reach the guy. If you live in an area where there are grass fires or brush fires, you need to use EHS until the guy is above flame height for your ciurcumstances. It is also a good idea to keep the grass and brush down to a couple of inches in height around your guyed tower.

73 DE KAØGKT/7

--Steve

[AC0H]

Quote[/b] ]I wonder why the manufacturer doesn't prominently include this in the instructions that come with each order.
When we put my father's tower up the guy grips came in a box with a single sheet of instructions which looked like it had been the 200th photocopy of a photocopy. Unreadable and useless.

[k4kyv]

Big grips are more expensive than cable clamps, but if you are in the tower business professionally, they are more economical because they can be installed in much less time. Total expenditure for cable clamps plus salary for a worker to install them is greater.