I had my first Phillystran failure here not long ago. It was one of the guys
on my 160-meter (K3LR array!) vertical driven element, and broke when a
loblolly pine limb fell on it. The limb, which broke off and fell about 10
feet to hit the guy, later was weighed at about 100 pounds. The Philly had
been purchased in 1978 and used at four different QTH's over its 41 year
life. Phillystran's website says lifespan is 25 or more years; so maybe
practical lifespan is somewhere in between those numbers. Maybe even a new
piece would break if such a limb hit it.
Phillystran also is susceptible to chafing if tree limbs come in contact
with it. I had used a number of pieces which originally were in the clear
when the towers were installed 20 years ago, but as trees grew limbs came
into contact and chafed through the outer sheathing. Once the inner Kevlar
is exposed to UV rays, it may break down. In addition to a major tree
trimming and removal this year to avoid such contact, I've also replaced
most of the Phillystran on my seven towers with EHS steel with insulators at
non-resonant lengths.
73/Jon
Jon P. Zaimes, AA1K
Tower climber for hire
http://www.aa1k.us/
Cell: 302-632-2353
Reviews of AA1K tower work on eham website:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12922
Hug your favorite tower every day, and always stay connected to it.
-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces@contesting.com> On Behalf Of Tim Duffy
Sent: Thursday, September 5, 2019 8:03 PM
To: 'Ron WV4P' <wv4ptn@gmail.com>; 'towertalk' <TowerTalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Polygon Guy Rods
I participated in a group buy of Polygon Rod in the late 1980s. Quite a
learning curve.
Even UV stabilized is only good for about 10 years - then needs replaced.
Difficult to work with.
I had one Polygon rod guy break mid span on my 40 meter tower (it was 5
years old). That was the end.
Just finished this summer getting all of the Polygon rod replaced with
Phillystran on the tall towers at K3LR. Properly maintained and inspected
Phillystran with the appropriate preformed line grip terminations should
last 30 plus years - no breaks or surprises so far with Phillystran.
73
Tim K3LR
-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ron
WV4P
Sent: Thursday, September 5, 2019 7:32 PM
To: towertalk
Subject: [TowerTalk] Polygon Guy Rods
Is it still possible to do the group buys on the Polygon pultrusion
fiberglass rods ? Any Interest ? I have several towers going up soon and
could use some. Ron WV4P _______________________________________________
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