[TowerTalk] Replacing cable on crankup

[Mike]

Steve is defiantly correct, the top sections of my LM-470 have the original
1980 cables with a little surface rust and are still in good condition.

The bottom cable and pull down cable I changed out because the newer Tri-ex
style towers use a thicker more flexible cable because it was realized that
the tight radius on the bottom pulley's unduly stressed the thinner more
rigid wire rope.

You might use some of the Wire Rope Lubricant (Prelube 6) on the cables
which lubricates without attracting dust and small grit to the cables.  This
can be got at any wire rope supplier or off of Steve's website
http://www.championradio.com/shop/Miscellaneous.7

The important thing to do is check the cables at regular six monthly periods
and run the tower up and down a four times a year or so.

Mike, K6BR


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Barrie Smith
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 3:25 PM
To: K7LXC at aol.com; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Replacing cable on crankup

Steve:

I'm certainly glad to hear that news!

I've looked at the cable several times as I've been cranking the tower up
and down, and I see no sign of damage or rust.

Excepting, perhaps, me, things don't rust much here in Montana.

The only reason I had contemplated changing the cable is that I had read, or
heard that it should be done every few years.

Thanks & 73, Barrie, W7ALW
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: K7LXC at aol.com 
  To: towertalk at contesting.com ; barrie at centric.net 
  Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 9:37 AM
  Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Replacing cable on crankup 


  In a message dated 11/17/2010 1:52:35 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:
    >  Is there an easy way to replace the cable on a standing, crankup
tower?

    >  It seems to me that it may be possible to attach the new cable to the
old and then thread the new cable through the pullys.

           Yes, with proper blocking that's the way to do it. Proper
blocking being pieces of pipe or 2x4's or something else pretty substantial
under the bottom of each tower section. 

          I guess my question is why do you think the cables need replacing?
If you have deep rust, excessive broken strands or obvious damage to the
cables, then they do need replacing. I'll bet a nickel that you have none of
those conditions. I've worked on dozens of crank-ups and have almost never
seen cables so bad they needed replacing. This is a function of a UST weasel
clause; that is, if you don't replace the cables per their recommendation,
they can weasel out of any liability.

  Cheers,
  Steve    K7LXC
  TOWER TECH -
  Professional tower services for hams
  and 
  US TOWER factory authorized installer
_______________________________________________



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