In a message dated 12/29/2008 11:59:59 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> Does anyone know what knot would be best for lifting a mast pipe up and
into
the rotor using a gin pole?
Ah, amateurs vs. knots. Unfortunately most hams don't know any knots.
When I'm working up on a tower and I ask for something to be tied and lifted,
what I usually wind up with is a wad of rope. Since there aren't too many
applications for knot knowledge in everyday suburban life, I understand the
problem.
The knot I would use is a clove hitch. It's pretty simple and
self-tightening. It's in any knot book or website.
But the even simpler solution is to use nylon slings. I always carry 6-8
of them when I'm doing tower work and sometimes I use all of them. They are
1" nylon webbing that's sewn together giving you an endless loop 12-18" long.
You just put it around the object of interest once or twice (for heavy loads
I'd recommend at least twice) and pull it thru the other end of the loop.
Put some tension on it and you're good to go. The more you pull it, the
tighter
it gets. All you have to do to release it is un-weight it. In the parlance
it's known as a choker. Champion Radio Products has them and you can buy them
at REI - look in the climbing hardware department near the carabiners.
And I recommend putting a muffler clamp above the rope to act as a
stopper in case the rope slips.
Installing big, long heavy masts does produce a good-sized pucker
factor. Be careful in any case.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams
Cell: 206-890-4188
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