[TowerTalk] Tram rope

[Steve Maki]

The advantages of good 1/2" double braid rope for a tram line:

1) Plenty strong - 10,000 lb breaking strength, 2400 lb. working load.

2) Has a *small* amount of stretch available, which acts to lessen peak 
load under shock.

3) Is much easier to work with compared to steel.

4) Because it is non conductive, antennas can be tuned while hanging 
from it.

Case closed, as far as I'm concerned...

Steve K8LX

Dennis OConnor wrote:
> Let me second Dave's comment... Using rope for a tram line, or small diameter cable is asking for a crash... I also use only 1/4" EHS...  Because the tram line is pulled into a caternary shape the total forces on it are far greater than just the weight of the beam...
> The other thing I do is that the tram line is run up to the top of the tower, through a pulley, and back down to a ground anchor on the opposite side... This way the side thrust is not transferred to the tower... Because of having to fly the beam over the woods, etc., my tram line is 600 feet overall and is kept on a drum and used only for that purpose.....
> 
> denny / k8do