[TowerTalk] Imagine that!

[Dale Martin]

Greetings....

For the past month or so, we in the Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club,
have been discussing plans for making some antenna changes on our two towers
(80' Rohn 45g and 50' freestanding military tower).  Prior to making those
moves, though, we needed to change out the guys on the 80' tower.  A couple
of years ago, one of our now-retired members had to foresight to buy some
guy wire and guy grips.  We needed some more hardware, so I had developed a
list and presented it at the last club meeting for the obligatory vote
(blessing?) to spend the club funds for the hardware.

We were going to order hardware this week.  However, Saturday, I was paged
by a member at the club station, W5RRR.  He advised that some guys with a
bucket truck were out at the 80' tower replacing the guys.

When I got there, I met with the installers.  They were from the Center's
support contractor (BRSP) acting on a work order issued by Plant
Engineering.  They were replacing our old guys (EHS) with stainless steel
guys and hardware.

I found out this morning from the Technical Monitor for electrical that she
had issued the work order based on a Safety Division walkthrough of the area
where the club's tower are located about a year ago.  During that
walkthrough, the guy wires and hardware were identified as needing
replacement.  The Club had received no word that this was in the planning
stages and came as a complete surprise.  Cool!

Now.  My question:

What is the breaking point of 3/16" stainless steel guy wire?

My Rohn book was no help.  Neither was Rohn when I called and asked them.

We did agree that 10% of breaking strength was normal for guy tension.

I've posed the questions (what's the breaking strength of the guy wire and
what is the tension to which the guys have been drawn?) back to the
electrical Tech Monitor to get that info.  The guys seem awfully taut.

73,
Dale Martin, KG5U
kg5u@hal-pc.org
http://www.hal-pc.org/~kg5u


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