[TowerTalk] Valmont and guy accessories

[StellarCAT]

Valmont, Anyone familiar with this company and their wares? They offer guy cable, at least 5/16” 7 strand rated at 11,200# (same as Rohn 5/16” .. on paper) as well as 1/2” x 12” 11,000# turnbuckles at reasonable prices. The latter is actually cheap compared to Rohns price ... one is $20 vs Rohns $60 – $80. EACH. Is Rohn charging that much more or am I missing something here? 

Also are the Rohn ones really rated (as well as these above I’d guess) at 11,000#? I ask because other places seem to only have 1/2x12 rated at 1500 - 2200# with a disclaimer that says “proof load is 2.5X and ultimate load is 5X”. Its interesting to note that 2200 x 5 = 11,000!! So if used at that rating is that the ‘ultimate’ rating which of course one would want NOT to approach?! 

I answered that last question myself I guess: reading Rohns “Guy Material” catalog [12947777771) does indeed list these as 1/2” x 12” ultimate strength 11,000#!! So it appears that they’re really, as items are typically used and rated, rated at a working load of 2200#. I further read that their guys are also indicated the same:  “ultimate strength”. 

Learned something new... anyway – anyone use the Valmont Turnbuckles and find them to be as good or possibly inferior? (both have the same hot dip galvanizing specs) 

Also is there a source for used Phillystrand (NOS?!) coming off of broadcast towers? 

Gary