[TowerTalk] Preserving Guy cables

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/31/2006 5:06:48 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:

>  As we all know, steel rusts. Ziebart has made a big business  in 
preserving 
cars from rusting. Their primary ingredient is linseed oil.  I have been 
thinking about soaking the coil of guy in a bucket of warm  linseed so it 
seeps into the nooks and crannies of the cable. This should  effectively 
passivate the cable for quite a few years.
 
    Umm, not really. I don't know of any  wire cable manufacturer that 
recommends that so I won't either. There are  commercial tower companies that have 
techniques and tools to lubricate big  cables on big towers but there's nothing 
required for ham tower guys. 
 
    Galvanized EHS will last for 20-30 years if left  alone so I wouldn't 
worry about it. Besides, the linseed oil will get washed  out in less than a year 
so you're really not accomplishing anything. I sure  wouldn't want to work 
with those slippery, slimy guy wires anyway. 
 
Cheers,
Steve    K7LXC
TOWER TECH