[TowerTalk] PreFormed guy grips

[Gary and Jane Nieborsky]

Unsolicited testimonial -

Preformed Guy Grips when properly installed will exceed the strength of the
guy strand they are gripping.  At the price there is no reason to consider
clamps for terminating guys.

Word of advice - NEVER EVER re-use a Preform that has been in service for
any length of time.  The gripping grit will fall off when you remove it and
compromise the holding strength.  If you're in a pinch go corner a telephone
or cable tv crew and see if they'll give you a couple.  Power companies
generally don't use 1/4 inch or smaller guy strand but tv and tel does.  Our
club station at work has 5/16 (the smallest we have).

Word of advice #2 - make sure the color band is for the guy you're using.
Yellow is 5/16 and blue is 1/4.  A 5/16 preform will wrap 1/4 and look
pretty good but it won't hold worth diddly.

Word of advice #3 - preforms are pretty simple to use but there are a number
of tricks that make installation go much smoother.  Ask around to see if the
local ham population has a guy expert. If all else fails go down to the
local utility and ask a lineman to show you how it's done.

Disclaimer - I don't play a lineman on TV but I do manage 32 of them at
work.  Plus my last tower got the K7LXC seal of approval.

Gary K7FR



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