[Towertalk] Antenna Hoist Rope?

[W0UN--John Brosnahan]

Samson Stable Braid rope and Tenex rope

I have received a number of requests for more information
about Samson Rope.  It can normally be purchased from
major rope distributors in the larger cities.   Just look in
the Yellow pages and pick out a big looking company.
It also appears that Samson will sell directly--but it is not
obvious what quantity it takes to go direct.  Their web site
has a lot of info but appears to be incomplete.

Mac's favorable comment on Tenex caused me to look at
Tenex in more detail--comparing it to Stable Braid.  It looks
like Tenex is a cheaper alternative, but stretches a bit more.
Tenex is a single braid rope and is easier to splice.

I am very pleased with my Stable Braid ropes for long life
and functionality--but then I have done a lot of commercial
work and the cost was justified.  For more casual use
it appears that Tenex would be a good alternative.  But I
have not used Tenex so I can't comment on some of the
more subtle issues such as if it has any propensity to tangle.

My one Nylon rope was not a braided rope and always
wanted to unwind under load.  It also was VERY intent
on tangling itself.  Since it was my least favorite rope I
loaned it out to a friend.  (I don't normally like to loan the
tools of my trade.)  He left it on his tower for a year
so I just gave it to him--I certainly didn't want it back
after the long exposure to Colorado UV.  If it had been
a Samson rope the decision would have been much harder
to make.

Here are the two data pages for both Stable Braid and Tenex.

http://www.samsonrope.com/products/M&I/2in1stablebraiddb.htm

http://www.samsonrope.com/products/M&I/tenex12s.htm

73--John   W0UN