[TowerTalk] cable for MA550MDP

[Dick Green]

Good advice for a triangular crankup, but the MA550MDP is a motorized
tubular crankup. The cables are hidden inside the tubular sections so it's
not obvious how to restring it. Same applies to the path through the motor
winch and the technique for tensioning the pull-down cable. None of it's
obvious.

Stephen, I know you installed your tower new this spring, so I'm very
surprised that the cable has broken. Unless something unusual happened, the
cable must've been defective. How did the cable break? Was the tower
partially or fully extended when it happened? Are you sure the tubes,
pulleys, limit switches, etc. haven't been damaged as well? If it's possible
to safely tilt the tower over (assuming you have the fixture), do a close
inspection to make sure you only need the cable set.

My advice is to contact U.S. Tower ASAP. Ask them for a replacement cable
kit and instructions/drawings for restringing the tower. They will probably
tell you to get a professional to do it. If you can afford that, do it. If
not, ask to speak with Bruce (the owner.) He's usually very helpful and
should at least get you the diagrams. I know they exist because a friend had
his 89' tubular restrung recently and the installer had a diagram. Bruce can
give you some advice about taking the sections apart, too. I'm sure the 550
can be disassembled by a couple of people. Bruce told me that my 70-footer
can be tilted over and disassembled relatively easily because the largest
removable section only weighs 80 lbs. Presumably, the 550 is even easier
(Bruce also told me that a special jig is required to disassemble the
89=footer because the lowest removable section weighs too much for two
people to carry -- but that didn't stop KC1XX & Co. from disassembling my
friend's tower!)

73, Dick WC1M


> I have helped many Hams with repairing their crank ups. For safety we use
large
> 8000lb come along and 3' sections of 1-1/2" ( almost 2" OD ) water pipe.
The water
> pipe is placed in the tower sections so the tower can not fall and cut
your hands
> and feet off. The cable can be any fine mesh , treated aircraft cable.
This might
> be a good time to check the pulleys and winch. If the tower is down all
the way and
> not tilted over, we usually crank it up bottom sections first and using
the pipe
> safeties before doing any climbing. Be very careful unless your tower is
all the
> way down. Tilted over is the best way.
>                   I hope this helped ,
>                                                       Bill Wall KC4UZ
>
>Stephen Reichlyn wrote:
>
>> Hello, all:
>>
>> I need some help!!
>>
>> The cable on my MA550MDP has broken. I would appreciate some guidance
regarding
>> replacement.
>>
>> 1. Where can I purchase a new cable for this tower (I assume US Towers)
>> 2. Does anyone have a restringing diagram for this tower that can be
faxed
>> to me at 843-884-5568.
>> 3. If anyone on this group has actually done the restringing, can you
give
>> me a 'blow-by-blow'
>> of how to proceed?
>>
>> Thanks, in advance, for any help.
>>
>> 73,
>> Steve AA4V
>>


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