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Re: [TowerTalk] Attaching winch cable to Universal Tower

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Attaching winch cable to Universal Tower
From: Patrick Greenlee <patrick_g@windstream.net>
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2015 13:18:40 -0600
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I have the same home brew design as you. I use it on my Hy-Gain Hy-Tower multi-band vertical (52 ft tall and mounted on a metal bld roof peak.) I don't leave the tubing with the winch, pulley, and cables (winch cable and back strap) in place all the time as the tower is an active antenna. Right now the raising fixture with pulley is threaded at the bottom and screws into a threaded fitting mounted to the roof.

Everything about using it is easy except getting the threads started when putting the fixture into place for use. Otherwise it works super and it makes one man maint easy. I will be replacing the threaded connection with a few inches of tubing sized to "telescope" with the vertical tube of the fixture making assy and dis-assy dead simple.

I'm not a mechanical engineer but we have some on this reflector. If I were concerned that the force concentration at the attachment points might deform the tower legs I would reinforce the legs with aluminum angle or C channel for a couple feet at the attachment points to distribute the load. Night not be needed, might be overkill, but it shouldn't hurt anything even though redundant. (Except where fully found lacking by competent authority such as a mech eng.) YMMV, Void where prohibited by law, No warranty as to merchantability or fitness for any specific purpose.

I wish you all the success with your project and a happy and prosperous new year.

Patrick        NJ5G


On 12/27/2015 3:22 PM, Kirk Kendrick wrote:
Looking to you Tower Elmers for guidance:

QUESTION:  What's the best method to attach a raising cable to an aluminum
tower?

I'm looking for ideas on how to attach a winch cable to raise and lower an
HD 21-50 Universal Tower with about 100# of antenna gear at the top.  I'm
worried that the forces during tilt up/down could damage or deform the
aluminum tower near the attachment point. Anyone have a design of an
attachment method/fixture that minimizes this risk?

I'm NOT looking for a "temporary" solution (that is, no "lifting straps"
that would deteriorate in the weather). The gin pole, winch, and cable will
remain attached so the tower can be lowered (by one person) whenever
needed. My hope is that the tower and raising fixture will be up for years
of service.

NOTE:  My plan is a raising fixture consisting of a 20' gin pole with back
stay, winch bolted to gin pole, cable from winch through pulley at top of
gin pole to an attachment point 20-25' up the tower.

I'm sure folks have already solved this attachment issue...and can share
successes (& approaches to avoid)

Tnx in advance,
Kirk KK2Z
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