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Re: [TowerTalk] New To ME US Towers HDX-555- advice needed

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New To ME US Towers HDX-555- advice needed
From: Rick Stealey <rstealey@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2015 20:06:15 +0000
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I'll start this thing thing off with an opinion based on my experience doing 
several things to my TX472 last year.
The raising fixture cable is less likely to need attention than the lift 
cables, but in both cases look at the surface of them and check for rust that 
is enough to deteriorate the outer strands.  Light surface rust is ok.
To replace lift cables you can buy from US Towers if you are independently 
wealthy.  Or you can buy cable, and a swaging tool and make your own for half 
the price and have a $90 tool to add to your collection to boot.
While the tower is horizontal, take a crowbar and slightly move the sections a 
few inches to relax the lift cables.  Now this is the most crucial test you can 
make.  Check that every pulley turns freely.  If any don't turn, the cable will 
be so hard to move over them that your motor will stall, or the gearbox will 
fail - disasterville.  I had 7 frozen pulleys, motor blowing fuses.  
On the motor, on mine the starting capacitor was inside a little bubble mounted 
on the motor housing, but the motor was mounted upside down, so water could 
flow down around the motor and rust out the housing.  Replace the cap, they 
cost $5.  I mounted my cap in the .... whatever you call it..... the electrical 
box.

That will get you started on your fun project.  Good luck.

Rick  K2XT

Sorry the whole message is attached.  Hotmail wont let me edit it.  Dont know 
why.

> From: w5kf@prodigy.net
> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2015 13:38:44 -0400
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] New To ME US Towers HDX-555- advice needed
> 
> I bought a used HDX-555 that is now beginning to reappear as the snow melts. 
> I’m hoping to get it upright this summer. I’d like advice on what to do prior 
> to standing it up.
> 
> I am not sure how long the tower was down, prior to its transportation to me. 
> I believe that it is about 15 years old, and it came from a SK. 
> 
> Specifically, I am wondering about the cables. Should the cable on the 
> raising fixture be replaced? Should I replace or service the lift cables in 
> any way? Any advice about PM for the raising motor assembly? Should switches 
> (limit, raising, etc) be changed?
> 
> Above all, I want to be safe here. So, I’d take any tips on steps to take 
> prior to actually bolting on an antenna and standing the thing up.
> 
> Regards and 73,
> 
> Sam Barrett - W5KF
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
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