[TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: Guying a vertical...???

Grant Saviers grants2 at pacbell.net
Mon Aug 31 17:12:11 EDT 2015


As a many year sailor and power boater, Patrick's advice is right on.  
In fact there are web posts of nylon guyed structures on the ground with 
intact guys nylon attached.  Nylon will stretch well more than 30% 
before breaking and has considerable stretch at 10% of break strength.  
(do the trig for guys!)  The amount of energy stored in a tensioned 
nylon rope is awesome, as I saw a 1 1/2" hawser break under load.  Folks 
have lost fingers when nylon rope was used in a tug of war and broke and 
much worse has happened to deck hands hit with the recoil of a breaking 
tow line.

The Synthetic Textiles lines are great, I used 1000's of ft over the 
past 30 years.  Usually they wear out at some rub point, I not seen a UV 
failure.

If you need more capacity than the 5/16" from S.T. then look at West 
Marine and other chandlers for low stretch lines, usually available to 
5/8" and larger.  The really good Kevlar and better stuff ($$$) 
stretches less than steel wire rope.

btw line for gin poles is better in low stretch since for tall towers 
the load can get to bouncing around on nylon.

Grant KZ1W

On 8/31/2015 13:26 PM, Patrick Greenlee wrote:
> Nylon is used on boats because it stretches like a rubber band and 
> when used for an anchor line does not transmit much shock to the deck 
> hardware.  For hoisting sails (halyards) and for sheets (lines used to 
> control sails) Dacron is used for its minimal stretch (desirable 
> characteristic.) Steel cables (wire ropes) are sometimes spliced to 
> rope "tails" for better manual handling characteristics and the rope 
> of choice is Dacron.
>
> Nylon is useful for towing a boat because of it stretchiness not 
> putting shock loads on deck hardware.  Great heat is generated by 
> inter-fiber friction when the nylon is stretched and when wet the 
> nylon shows its heat by copious quantities of steam.  Failure to let 
> the tow rope contact the water for cooling purposes can result in 
> melting the nylon rope leading to catastrophic failure.
>
> I have considerable experience as a rag sailor and 10 years in 
> maritime search and rescue. I advise folks wanting rope for guys to 
> avoid nylon if it will be loaded such that it stretches and recovers 
> as in variable wind.  Dacron is a far better choice.
>
> Patrick        NJ5G
>
> On 8/31/2015 12:08 PM, Bryan Swadener via TowerTalk wrote:
>> In other words, "double-braided Nylon" rope.The Nylon material does 
>> well with UV.The double-braided construction is bestto limit stretch. 
>> It is used a lot on sailboats.You'll find it in a marine supply 
>> store.McMaster-Carr sells it as well.
>> I've used it for decades to support wire andvertical antennas.
>> vy 73 es gl,Bryan WA7PRC
>>
>>
>>        > In a message dated 8/30/2015 8:11:33 A.M. Central Daylight 
>> Time,
>>> co8dm at frcuba.co.cu writes:
>>>
>>>      I am trying to get the "550 Paracord"...it is not available here
>>>      but will
>>>      see what i can do to get it...
>>>
>>>      I read/hear many people used in verticals and it is strong and UV
>>>      resistant
>>>      and very cheap compare with Dacron and Kevlar.
>>>
>>>      I have looking on ground, water and air here and it is not
>>>      available...unbelievable but it is the true !!!
>>>
>>>      73....Douglas, CO8DM
>>     _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>



More information about the TowerTalk mailing list