[TowerTalk] "Cable set" failure-US tower answer

[Ray Benny]

I've had an old Tristao 71 ft tower up for more that 30 years and have
always stopped/parked it at its upper limit. There are also limit switches
that stop it if I try to go further. Because of winds, I may
raise/partially lower it 2 or 3 times a week.

On small work-over oil rigs, they do "slip the cable" (cut about 10 - 20
ft) often to move the wear spots. But that is when a cable is worked/cycled
maybe 200 - 300 times a day.

I've never heard of a cable failing as mentioned on ham towers. I do agree
that it is a good idea to keep your cable lubricated to keep rust/corrosion
from forming internally.

Ray,
N6VR

On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 4:09 PM, Larry WA9VRH <wa9vrh at dishmail.net> wrote:

> Hi Steve,
>
> I concur with you as my US tower has been up for 16 years. I live in
> Central
> Illinois and we get  all kinds of WX.
>
> There were a couple of times I went out and cranked it down with an
> approaching storm..
>
> Decided it was to much work and that was what insurance was for!
>
> Now if a tornado was on the way I would still leave it up and take the time
> to get out of the area!
>
> 73 Larry WA9VRH
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "VE6WZ_Steve" <ve6wz at shaw.ca>
> To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, December 05, 2011 4:57 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] "Cable set" failure-US tower answer
>
>
>  >I just got off the phone speaking to US tower in California about this
> >recent thread regarding stopping your tower and different heights to
> >prevent a "cable set" failure.
> >
> > The representative I spoke to had NEVER heard of such a problem, and said
> > there is no reason to alter the stopping point either up or down on the
> > tower.
> > It was indicated that IF this had EVER been a problem they would know
> > about it.
> > The person told me that the towers are specifically designed to be set at
> > whatever height you want, and "you can leave it at that height as long as
> > you want"
> >
> > There may be those who have other "ideas" or opinions about this, but I
> am
> > inclined to believe and follow what the manufacturer says.
> >>From a liability perspective, I doubt they would have answered my
> question
> >>in this way if there were any known risks regarding this issue.
> >
> > Also, today I moved my tower up a few inches to expose the cable which
> has
> > been "sitting" on the sheave.....in the same spot, for the last 5 years,
> > and it looks in perfect condition. The cable looks identical to the cable
> > on either side which was not on the sheave. I see no evidence of
> > deformation or compromise.
> >
> > BTW...I also asked about putting Lube on the cables and, to confirm my
> > past communication about this 10 years ago, the answer from US tower, 15
> > minutes ago was:
> > "US tower does NOT recommend putting ANY lubrication on the cables." They
> > did say putting Beeswax on the slides is recommended.
> >
> > de steve ve6wz
> > US tower owner for 15 years.
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>



-- 
*Ray,*
*N6VR*