John Brosnahan wrote:
> it appeared to me from the
> photos on the K3GP site that the failure point may have been the
> turnbuckles. It appeared that they might have been simple hardware
> store formed turnbuckles, which are woefully inadequate.
>
> If, in fact, they were formed turnbuckles rather than FORGED turnbuckles
> they may fail with as little as 600-700 pounds of force on them. Not
> much comfort when 1/4 inch EHS guy wire is rated at 6,700 pounds.
The only turnbuckle I noticed in the pictures looked to me like it was
used in a less demanding application -- perhaps on an antenna boom,
instead of the the very demanding guy wire application.
BTW, I certainly am not a welder, but the failed weld pictured reminded
me of some poor solder joints, rather than an a welded joint. Someone
correct me if I'm wrong -- in a welded joint aren't the welded-together
items supposed to be melted or fused into the common joint, along with
added material from a welding rod? That joint looked to me like it was
clearly never part of the brace!
I do think that if I ever put up that kind of money into a tower, it will be
standing out in the open with no trees near any of it.
Lyn, W4WDN
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