[TowerTalk] Truss clamp for 2" mast ??

[Roger (K8RI)]

On 7/20/2010 9:50 PM, Jim Thomson wrote:
> Ok... I'm not impressed with the F-12  method of securing the over head truss line to the 2" mast.
> The F-12 method consist of  looping the  1/8"  SS  truss cable  through the "U"  portion of a standard
> U-clamp.. with the saddle on the back end of the mast.   While this method works, it's an absolute
> bitch to get some tension on the truss line.   IE:  you have to push up on the U bolt.. and hold it there, then tighten
> the U bolt.
>    

Insert a turnbuckle...Tighten as much as you can by hand and use the 
turnbuckles in the Phillystran(one in each direction) to fine tune it. 
I'd not fasten the turnbuckle to the upright as that contact point would 
just be another source for noise.
I did the nearly 30' long 7L C3i 6-meter which has its own support for 
the truss by setting it on sawhorses out towards the ends.   After 
tensioning the Phillystran I moved the saw horses back toward the middle 
to check for sag.  It's nice and straight.  Thing is, if you put a pair 
of small turnbuckles up there, any long term stretch can easily be 
handled. OTOH I've never seen the stuff stretch enough to notice.

73

Roger (K8RI)
> Does anybody make a 2 x piece clamp  that will  clamp onto a 2"  mast, such that a SS /galvanized  small
> turnbuckle can be installed on either side of the 2" mast ???    That would  make life a LOT easier.   Of course,
> the  one coninuous piece of stock truss line would have to be cut in the middle, and either cable clamps or nicropress crimps
> installed + a pair of thimbles, etc.
>
> I can envision the proposed 2 x piece wrap around clamp assy in my head.   Plan B is... since I use  several  HB mast steps
> already, which use a single DX eng  super mast clamp assy,  I might be able to slide a thin piece of flat bar steel between
> the 2 x clamp halves... and drill it for a 3/8"  hole.    Then the G-8  bolt  would pass through both halves of the mast clamps
> plus the flat bar in the middle.   Once tight, there is a small gap between the 2 x halves of the DX eng clamps anyway.
> The flat bar would pivot down on an angle, and the other end of the flat bar could be used to terminate one
> end of a turnbuckle.
>
> What do other folks use to terminate  an over head truss ?
>
> later...... Jim   VE7RF
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