Some of my top section cables are rusty colored on the outside and I sleep
at night because I check them regularly, my measure of how bad it is:
1. Is the cable with rust still as flexible as a new cable
2. I look at the worst section of cable through a magnifying glass looking
for rust damage pits in the strands, I use two pairs of pliers to unravel it
a bit to see the strands underneath (gently).
3. If there is rust on the cable and also a broken outside strands then I
would change it, I would not wait for six to break.
4. You can tell by the feel/flexibility if the cable is shot and needs
changing and of course if you are in any doubt change it.
I also agree with Steve, many people change cables for no good reason except
that it has surface rust, back to number two, check with a magnifying glass.
Even when you saw through a really rusted and pitted cable three quarters of
the inside strands are clean and in good shape.
I always check the cable where the eye has been mechanically splice crimped
on. Always check the part of the cable that sits on the Sheaves all the
time that the tower is extended.
I have never seen broken strands on a cable that were not caused by some
external damage, if the external damage caused strands to break you would
have to think that even more damage that you can't see may have been done to
the cable internally, so I would defiantly change it.
To be honest I would be more worried about the Sheaves and the rusty bolt
through Sheaves that nobody seems to check, oil or replace. If the
Sheave/bolt collapse or break down comes the tower section.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of KJ6Y@aol.com
I know Steve is considered the "GURU" of towers. But I have to disagree.
I've seen many towers in my over 33 years of tower installations and
service and have seen many that definitely needed the cables replaced. As I
tell
my customers, "Better to change them too early than too late"
Skip, KJ6Y
_Communications Service Co_ (http://www.communicationsserviceco.com/)
818-887-3569
In a message dated 2/11/2011 1:40:56 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
K7LXC@aol.com writes:
In a message dated 2/11/2011 12:01:24 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> I have a Motorized US Tower TX-472 that I would like to recable. Is
there anyone out there that has recabled their TX-472 and might have
advice and
or suggestions on this project.? A good cabling diagram would be a help.?
I haven't tried US Tower for advice as of yet.
Okay, I'll bite. Why do you think the cables need replacing? I've worked
on dozens of crank-ups over the years and haven't seen one where the
cables
were bad enough to need replacing.
>From my UP THE TOWER book (_www.championradio.com_
(http://www.championradio.com) ), the 3 reasons why your would need
replacing are 1) fatal
rust (not surface rust), 2) damage (kinked or flattened) or 3) excessive
broken strands (you're allowed six). Which of these conditions do you
have?
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for hams
and
UST factory authorized installer
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Skip, KJ6Y
_Communications Service Co_ (http://www.communicationsserviceco.com/)
818-887-3569
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