[TowerTalk] Tower Coax Support Sleeve

[J. Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT]

Hi All!

It really depends on your maintenance profile, initial costs, lifespan of
the antenna system and the like as to which way to go.  Kellems are nice,
but Dacron rope can be quite acceptable in many systems.  As far as ensuring
that the rope won't slip, I start with the middle of the rope that I'm going
to use as a grip and tie a clove hitch on the bottom end and then cris-cross
the rope around the cable or bunch hooking them around each other as they
pass each other for an appropriate length to distribute the force of the
weight along the length of the cable or bundle.  I then use the remainder of
the rope to affix the cable or bundle to an anchor point on the tower.

Since nothing of that type stays in place for more than a couple of years
without changes, the rope works fine and is inexpensive.

If you are looking for 5, 10 or 20+ years for an installation, get the
Kellums.

73,
Gordon Beattie, W2TTT
201.314.6964


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 3:30 PM
To: sabrams at nycap.rr.com; Alan NV8A; Dr M J DiGirolamo
Cc: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Coax Support Sleeve

At 05:03 AM 3/20/2007, sabrams at nycap.rr.com wrote:
>Can't you do the same thing with some soft rope and a couple of clove
>hitches, and save $17?  Saul  K2XA


Sure. but the rope will rot, and it's hard to control the forces the 
rope puts on the cable, which will change with temperature, humidity, 
and age. The Kellems style grips grab all the way around the cable 
putting an even compression force, and have consistent and 
predictable mechanical properties.

It comes down to a tradeoff.. you get what you pay for.

>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Alan NV8A" <nv8a at att.net>
>To: "Dr M J DiGirolamo" <DrD at 2020.com>
>Cc: <towertalk at contesting.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 7:52 AM
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Coax Support Sleeve
>
>
> > On 03/20/07 07:31 am Dr M J DiGirolamo wrote:
> >
> >>    From the top of my 72' tower I will have some 10 coax lines coursing
> >> downward
> >> from antennas.  I remember a discussion about a type of coax sleeve or
> >> holder
> >> that works on the Chinese-Finger design.  The sleeve is supported in
the
> >> top
> >> coax extension arm and the weight of the coax holds and suspends it in
> >> position
> >> without overly compressing the cable.  I even recall that someone said
it
> >> was
> >> available in a stainless steel mesh from McMaster-Carr??
> >>
> >>    Well, I've done all types of searches and cannot seem to find
> >> reference to
> >> the information.  Can someone help this old guy out here?
> >
> >
> > The originals are called Kellem Grips or simply Kellems, but there are
> > various clones around.
> >
> > I have found them at Crescent Electric (not in every US state, but
> > locations all over the place), also at Kendall Electric, which is in MI
> > and IN only. I am assuming that any electrical wholesaler will have them
> > or will be able to order them, but you are unlikely to find them at
> > Lowe's or Home Despot.
> >
> > The Wireman stocks some sizes:
> >
> > http://thewireman.com/cablegrips.html
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Alan NV8A
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
>
>
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