Fred-
Dacron covered by the black (UV protected)fabric (Synthetic Textiles?)has
held up over ten years in Indiana weather. I've used it for dipoles and
wires in trees too. One of the best things about it is terminating - tie it
in a knot! It does 'give' or stretch some. Nothing is forever I guess, and
whatever you use will fail at the most unpleasant time. Schedule to be on
vacation when that time comes again and be sure you've appointed a ham buddy
to 'watch over' things while you're DX'ing.
Patrick
WB9QIQI
At 04:21 PM 5/6/97 EDT, you wrote:
>In the massive storm of April 1, 1997, the third largest snowfall in the
>history of the Boston area, I lost backstays on three TH6/TH7's. Two on
>one tower, and one on another.
>
>Examination shows that the backstay wire had rusted through. The plated
>u-bolts and saddles were also heading for the "rust to dust" stage of
>life.
>
>I am now contemplating a trip to Bliss Marine, to buy 1/8" stainless
>steel guy wire. This marine supplier also has a $20 device which uses a
>socket wrench to tighten small nico-press style holders (for about 48
>cents each) to hold the backstays in place. The big crimping tool is
>$120.
>
>On the other hand, K1LZ is recommending that I use wire rope in a plastic
>cover, with 54 cent plated u-bolts and saddles (small ones).
>
>I recall that W1RR, a smart person in my judgment, has used dacron rope
>for backstays, as well as Phillystran (on BIG booms).
>
>The project is: backstays for a 24' boom TH67/TH7. What would you
>recommend?
>
>Fred Hopengarten K1VR
>617/259-0088
>Six Willarch Road
>Lincoln, MA 01773-5105
>permanent e-mail address: fhopengarten@mba1972.hbs.edu
>
>
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>
>
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