[TowerTalk] AB-105 Safety Question - Summary

[Dave Hawes]

Thanks to the following for their helpful responses to my question 
about replacing the AB-105 guy attachment plates:

N4CC, W8GAZ, K1SD, KO7V, AA1K, W3LPL, KE3Q, NJ4F, N4KG, KS9K, N4KW, 
and K3NA.

They provided much useful information, too much to include here, but 
if anyone wants copies of the responses, e-mail, and I'll send them 
to you.  A brief summary follows:

AB-105 is strong enough to allow removal of a single guy at a time.  
Good recommendations for safety were to loosen the other two guys at 
that level, and to install a temporary guy above the one being worked 
on.

As to the guy attachment plate replacement issue, Mr. AB-105, Frank 
Donovan, W3LPL, and a couple of others reminded me that the bolts 
don't have to be removed at all, just he nuts.  This precludes the 
settling problem.  Even if the bolts were nut side in, they can be 
switched one at a time.  Simple.

Frank also scolded me for not using thimbles on the Preformed grips 
as they pass through the holes in the plates, even though the holes 
were countersunk to remove any sharp edges.  Good advice.  The 
replacement installation will utilize heavy duty thimbles which will 
not collapse under the forces in the guy wire.

Thanks again for all the help.

73 - Dave N3RD
n3rd@ix.netcom.com
http://www.QTH.com/topten

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