[TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589

[Andre VanWyk]

John,

You hit the nail on its head.

I would rather want one 180ft rotating Rohn 55 tower than mess with 4 crank up towers but I had to chose between continuing climbing towers or respecting my family's request to stop climbing towers.

I know I made right choice as this is only a hobby for me.

73
NJ0F

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 15, 2013, at 12:44 AM, Steve Dyer <w1srd at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Yes, environment matters and should be taken into consideration for any maintenance.
> Yes, a free standing tower doesn't have this issue -- but then those of us who do have crank-ups usually do for a reason. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: "john at kk9a.com" <john at kk9a.com>
> To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com 
> Cc: kr5dx at yahoo.com 
> Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 3:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
> 
> 
> I am sure that even with no maintenance the cables will last significantly 
> longer than three years in most installations. Cable breakage can  destroy 
> your tower and antenna so this is something that needs to be monitored.  If 
> you are in a corrosive environment the cables may not last three years. 
> P49MR had the cable break twice on his U.S. crank up tower and I do not 
> think that they lasted even three years in Aruba  A few years ago he 
> replaced the crank-up with an AN Wireless free standing tower and has had no 
> problems since.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Andre VanWyk" <kr5dx at yahoo.com>
> To: "Steve Dyer" <w1srd at yahoo.com>
> Cc: <john at kk9a.com>; <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 17:38
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
> 
> 
> Well I never heard of a crank up tower that failed because the cables were 
> not lubricated PROVIDING manufacturer guidelines are followed and cables are 
> changed when required.
> 
> I think we as hams tend to both try to reinvent the wheel too many times. If 
> it ain't broken, don't fix it!
> 
> NJ0F
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Jun 13, 2013, at 11:41 AM, Steve Dyer <w1srd at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
>> K7LXC breaks the prime directive for lubricating crank-up cables. He sells 
>> Prelube 6 on his site and recommends using it. And yes, any professional 
>> user of wire rope always lubricates their cables on a regular 
>> maintenance/inspection schedule.
>> It baffles me why anyone would not lube the cable with the *proper* 
>> lubricant since the cable is THE critical link in a crank-up.
>> It's a testament to how well the cable holds up that more failures haven't 
>> occurred. That and it's way over-sized to the load.
>> 73,
>> Steve
>> W1SRD
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________
>> From: "john at kk9a.com" <john at kk9a.com>
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:12 AM
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
>> 
>> 
>> Lubricating the cable does go against the K7LXC prime directive. US towers
>> recommends replacing the cable every three years.
>> 
>> Most wire rope is lubricated during manufacturing. Lubrication does two
>> things:
>> 
>> Reduces friction as the individual wires move over each other.
>> 
>> Provides corrosion protection and lubrication in the core and inside wires
>> and on the exterior surfaces.
>> 
>> If I owned a crank-up tower I would keep the cables lubricated and only
>> change them if there was noticeable corrosion or broken strands .
>> 
>> John KK9A
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> To:     Bryan Swadener <bswadener at yahoo.com>
>> Subject:     Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
>> From:     Andre VanWyk <kr5dx at yahoo.com>
>> Date:     Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:45:37 -0400
>> 
>> 
>> I am missing something here as US Tower advises against lubricating 
>> cables.
>> 
>> What are you gaining by lubricating cable? I my opinion if a un-lubricated
>> galvanized cable shows signs of rust, it is time to replace it.
>> 
>> 73's
>> NJ0F
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
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>> 
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