[TowerTalk] Fw: Crank up tower bracing rubbing against cable

[SPWoo]

Hi All,

Thank you for the replies.  Just an update.  US Towers contacted me today and told me they will look into this.  We didn't discuss any methods on a remedy.  I will wait for their response before I do anything.

One thing I should mention is that the tower cable is positioned directly over the center of the Z brace (see my pics).  So the cable is blocking the point on the brace where the greatest mechanical advantage occurs.  If I try to pry the brace a few inches from the center then the amount of force required to bend it becomes more significant.  With the winch method I could place a small cable loop directly over the center of the Z brace in a vertical position such that the cable loop is parallel to the tower cable, and attach the cable loop to the winch cable.  This way there's no risk of damaging the tower cable.  If there's a way to modulate the winch pressure then I think this method is the most elegant solution.  I could buy a 1,000lbs hand winch for less than $30.  But I'm unsure of where I could mount the winch to.  Here's a link to the winch I'm thinking of. 
 http://www.qcsupply.com/91121-standard-winches-900-lb-load-capacity.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CKX45-3SjrMCFcKPPAodBG4AwQ

 
Best Regards,
Jonathan Woo, W6GX
(970) 646-1711

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: SPWoo <jj_2_woo at yahoo.com>
To: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com> 
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crank up tower bracing rubbing against cable
 

Hi All,

Thank you the replies.  I also received many replies in private.  Many of you suggested of bending the bracing with a crow bar or hitting it with a piece of wood.  Well, I tried both methods today and neither of them worked.  I would need a really long crow bar to bend that thing.  The wood method didn't work as the wood absorbed all the pounding.

I have an idea that might work and save me a lot of time.  My tower is very close to my driveway.  I could tie a cable to the bracing and attach the other end to a winch or a vehicle.  With a 300-500lb force I should be able to bend the bracing just enough to clear the interference.  When retracted the tower should be able to withstand the pulling force, I hope.  Since I don't have a winch I will have to ask
 my neighbors for help.  I will report back on my progress and result.  Thanks and 73.
 
Best Regards,
Jonathan Woo, W6GX
(970) 646-1711