My experience runs counter to yours Roger. LDF Heliax is VERY crush resistant. Yes you can kink it, but on two occasions I've seen LDF cable that was laid out on a parking lot get run over by crazed
At least, the kind of rope you're apparently familiar with. Good rope can be FAR superior to the kind of temporary steel lines that are being discussed, and much too expensive to tie up a mother-in-l
A number of scenarios might cause one to consider temp guys: 1) New tower using a pier pin base where you don't have access to a boom truck to stand the first few sections up. You walk one or two sec
For what it's worth, a Ham 4 rotator does not mind being *stopped* once in a while (a strong wind will stop a long boom yagi from being turned by a Ham 4), and it does not have sufficient torque to d
Yes he does, and one which I've mentioned here in the past. I think that the more important feature of a pier pin base is the tilt freedom to keep the downward force on the legs equalized, rather tha
Commercial towers have no fancy thrust bearing. It's usually just a very heavy but small diameter plate that is just large enough to accept the angled in tower legs, which are welded to the plate in
I can't speak for US Tower, but on commercial towers it's been used as a waterproofing scheme, and has largely fallen out of favor because of water entrapment issues and it prevents the inspection of
Jim, The RFS LCF78-50JA listed on his website is similar to Andrew LDF5 which has a smooth center conductor, and similar bending properties. Both companies offer "superflex" and "ultraflex" varieties
If it's standard foam hardline like Commscope P3 or QR the published VF is usually .87. If it's "disc" hardline it will more resemble airline in specs, .9 to .92 VF. As was suggested though, it shoul
The OP is looking for designs to construct the tower, while your link shows an install, impressive as it is, using commercial tower parts. Although if time is money, constructing a tower from scratch
Why is the type unknown if you already have it? I'd be careful about spending much money on connectors before I verified the coax model. Andrew LDF5 isn't even made anymore other than under special o
Dick, All of the connectors you mention are for Andrew Superflex FSJ4 cable (the spiral stuff). Andrew connector model numbers for LDF4 will start with L4, except for UHF connectors (L44U & L44P)), n
Dick, Great question. I think it's a bad idea to pull air dielectric coax through 90 degree bends. You are asking for trouble. I've recently run up against two situations at broadcast stations where
Even schedule 40 bends are available in different radii, for example 4" 90's commonly are found in 24" and 48" radius versions, and I believe 36" radius can be ordered. Not at Home Depot though - reg
<snip> Dick, If you ever anticipate installing L4 (1/2") connectors again, do yourself a favor and buy an Andrew Easiax tool. It's just a clamp type manual prep tool with internal razor blades that c
Yes, I see what you mean. The Andrew Easiax MCPT-L4 is easily available from Tessco, Hutton, Pace, etc, but not many consumer oriented dealers advertize it. RF Parts has it for 34.50. I've heard that
Actually they do, the Andrew MCPT-78. We find it to work very well, and prefer it over both the drill mounted prep tools AND a hacksaw. On 1-1/4" and 1-5/8" though you can't beat the drill mounted pr
Pulse counting is an accepted method of measuring guy tension as long as there are no guy wire appurtenances like insulators. I have a nice spreadsheet created for EHS wires by Charlie Tomlinson a fe
The physical construction of the shielded cable dictates to a degree the grounding system, but regardless of the cable type you want protection at both the upper and lower ends of the cables. So-call
Gregg, If that's true than virtually EVERY medium sized commercial guyed tower in the world (and a good percentage of amateur towers) is at risk. Are you sure you were using the proper preform for yo