[TowerTalk] question about Phillystran

[john at kk9a.com]

So you're considering using Phillystran guy cable and your concern is that 
the Big Grip will unravel due to ice?  Big Grips come with a small cable tie 
to hold it together, but it's a very weak cable tie.  I suppose that you 
could use a stronger cable tie.  In Illinois I had two towers that used 
Phillystran guys with Big Grips and had no unraveling problem even after 
some of the small cable ties fell off.  I did have an unraveling problem at 
my station in Aruba, but this was due to corrosion of the Big Grips.  Before 
Big Grips were available Phillystran was terminated with cable clamps, but I 
guess this is no longer recommended.  Phillystran can make cables for you 
with Spelter Sockets attached if you are really concerned about using Big 
Grips.

John KK9A


To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] question about Phillystran
From: bluegras at core.com
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:42:05 -0400 (EDT)
List-post: <towertalk at contesting.com">mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>

I have looked thru the Towertalk archives and am re-visiting a question
about using Phillystran for tower guys to see if anything has changed
since the 2006 and earlier posts on the subject and more experience with
Philly has been had in ice conditions.

Phillistran doesn't
recommend cable clamps or End Sleeves, due to the elastic nature of
Phillystran; they won't stay on. They don't have an alternative
recommendation for "terminating" for "serving" the
completed long & short legs of a Big Grip, especially to protect it
from water flow down the guy, ice penetration and subsequent loosening.

Suggested practices, other than "ice caps" or hose
clamps?

Sevim
--WB8BHN
-- 
Sevim F. Ablay, P.E.

+1 (847) 428-2206
bluegras at core.com----------------------------- 

73,
de NIMOTHAM

-----------------------------