[TowerTalk] Guy Wire Terminations

[Wes Stewart]

Thanks everyone for your comments.  My real concern was that someone would say 
something like, "Oh no no, don't ever use those."  I'm not hearing that so all 
is good.

My actual application is pretty modest.  I have a Rohn 45 series, 45' tall 
foldover tower.  With the modest tri-band antenna (Optibeam 7-3) on top there 
isn't much wind load and the tower would probably free stand.  (Photo at 
https://qrz.com/db/N7WS) However, guying is required, primarily when it's being 
folded over.  So there is one set of four guys just below the hinge point 
(~22').  Currently, I'm using 5/16" EHS and wire rope clips just because that is 
what was on hand when I put this up 20 years ago. The only reason for a change 
is that I'm contemplating shunt feeding the tower and need to insulate the guy 
wires.

I've never liked climbing towers and at age 75 I like it even less, so quick and 
easy are pluses.

So, 90% strength is still overkill and if you look at the picture you can see 
that icing isn't much of a problem:-)  My electric co-op uses these things like 
crazy.

Next issue is insulators.  DX Engineering has their bent pin 
shackles/insulators, but they charge three prices for them and then sell them in 
sets of three and I need four.  Looking for a lower cost solution.

Wes  N7WS

On 12/27/2016 3:58 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
> There are many choices - big grips, Spelter sockets, taper sockets, Nicopress 
> sleeves, swaged fittings, and wire rope clips (probably the worst of the 
> foregoing).  Each has to be properly installed to attain the predicted percent 
> of break strength for the wire rope.
>
> What is sold to the utilities industry probably performs as advertised.  So if 
> 90% of break strength is ok instead of 100% with big grips then use them.  If 
> they are re-useable then that is a plus over grips.  Perhaps it is also easier 
> to adjust the cable length, but I've never used them.  Besides the internal 
> taper+sleeve holding the wire rope, I think the OD taper is designed to shed 
> heavy icing, which sliding down long guys can unwrap grips if they are not 
> properly prepped.
>
> lots to learn from the Crosby catalog, download 
> http://www.thecrosbygroup.com/catalog/catalog-download/
>
> Some technical info on these dead ends would be nice to have.
>
> Grant KZ1W
>
> On 12/27/2016 11:39 AM, Wes Stewart wrote:
>> From what I've read in the archives and elsewhere, "Big Grips" are the 
>> default standard for terminating tower guy wires.
>>
>> That said, other than cost, is there some good reason to avoid the 
>> "automatic" vise type of termination?  Example: 
>> http://www.endurancehardware.com/5guysttevi.html
>>
>> Thanks,  Wes  N7WS