[TowerTalk] Guy wire Clamps

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 08/01/2000 11:40:41 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
makemyday@worldnet.att.net writes:

> > > OK, they are *easier* and *faster*, but are they more *dependable*,
>  > >  especially after many years??
>  > 
>  >     YES! They don't loosen up....
>  
>    because they are loose to begin with...

    Where do you come up with this stuff? Remember those chinese finger 
puzzles when you were a kid that got tighter when you pulled on them? Same 
thing with Preformed grips.

    Preforms were designed and tested by people a lot more clever than you 
are and the fact that there are hundreds of thousands (millions?) of them in 
use TODAY with no consequences is good enough for me. 
>  
>  > and are more benign to the guys since they
>  > don't compress the strands. 
>  
>    That's my whole point.  If you want durable long-lasting reliable
>    dependable connections, you need to apply serious compression to the 
>    strands. U-clips do that, preforms don't. 
>  
    Fine. Use cable clamps to your heart's content. Just don't berate people 
who use the latest and improved guy wire termination devices. 

    The 'serious compression' is applied along the whole length of the 
Preform, not just where three cable clamp U-bolts touch the cable. Also, the 
'serious compression' from the clamp U-bolts is a stress riser and 
over-tightening them can damage and cut the cable. 

>    Now, in the best 'LXC-follow-the-manufacturer's-advice tradition,
>    does the current Rohn catalog permit preforms?  Or do all their 
>    drawings show u-clips like in my 25-yr-old catalog?

    Get an up-to-date catalog - Rohn SELLS Preforms. There isn't a 
professional tower guy in the country that would choose cable clamps over 
Preformed grips. 

    Do you serve the guy strands when you're done using your cable clamps? 
Why not?

Cheers,  Steve   K7LXC
Tower Tech

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