[Towertalk] Supporting coax

[Steve Katz]

> Hello to all;
> 
> Please advise me regarding methods and materials to support coax going 
> up a tower.  Problems I recognize include:
> 
> Overstressing the coax or the connector - I assume this is resolved by a 
> stress relief loop at the connector and by supporting it at 
> appropriately small intervals, possibly with additional stress relief 
> provisions at each support.  At what intervals are support and stress 
> relief recommended for typical RG-8 style coax?
> 
> //A strain relief with a drip-loop at the top end is fine.  For RG213/U
> (RG-8 "style" coax), I use vinyl electrical tape to tie the cable to a
> tower leg about every 10-15 feet on the way down.  But for "soft" RG-8
> "style" cables like foam dielectric cable (LMR400) or spiral-wound PE
> which is mostly air filled (9913), I still use the same vinyl electrical
> tape, but make sure not to pull it while wrapping, and use many loosely
> overlapping layers spread out over a few inches of cable/tower leg at each
> point.  Instead of wrapping the tape in layers directly over itself,
> spread the layers out by wrapping them 1/4" offset for each wrap, and
> don't pull the tape tightly while wrapping.  This provides lots of support
> with minimum stress on the cable.  I would not use nylon tie-wraps or
> metal cable clamps at all with these "softer" cables.
> 
> 
> Distorting the coax, while supporting the coax - What are permissible 
> ways to support it without distorting it?
> 
> Weather and UV exposure of the supporting materials - Some support 
> materials or device may be inherently resistant to wx and UV; others may 
> be useful if they are covered with UV resistant material.  What are some 
> of the options?
> 
> //My Scotch vinyl electrical tape lasts 20+ years exposed to the sun &
> elements.  Normally, if I unwrap the top "layer" after many years, the
> layers under it are shiny and look like they were applied yesterday.  Not
> sure how much more longetivity one could ask for....
> 
> //WB2WIK/6
> 
> What am I overlooking?
> 
> 73 de WOØW
> 
> 
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