[TowerTalk] TX-472MDP cable replacement

[k7lxc at aol.com]

 >  I'm confused over terminology but I'm pretty sure my cable needs replacing. Howdy -     I'm pretty sure it doesn't need replacing.      First, crank-up towers are not precision devices but are safely engineered for the abuse amateurs sometimes subject them to. Cables (and other structural considerations) are generally spec'ed to 10% Safe Working Load. That's 10% of their ultimate breaking strength. Being 25 pounds over the "limit" is insignificant.  >  1-WPX CW is coming up. I assume raising it for that wud be too risky.  Correct?     There's no risk involved.  >  2-Did the extra weight cause the strands to break? Is there some otherproblem causing them to break that needs to be addressed? Or is it just "oldage"?     The extra weight in your case is insignificant. The breaks are caused by work hardening. That is, you've got solid steel filaments being pulled over pulleys where the cables are flexed. It's the flexing that causes the work hardening. It's got little to do with weight.      Using a cable lubricant like PreLube (available from championradio.com) is recommended because it reduces the internal strand frictions, another cause of cable stress. >  3-Does a very detailed description of how to replace cables exist? The tasklooks very daunting to me.      Fugettaboutit! Your cables DO NOT need replacing. You've just saved yourself a bunch of time and money and effort by not doing it! You're welcome. >  4-Shud a stronger cable be used to accommodate the extra weight? There wasshipping damage when the tower was originally shipped. US Tower sent mereplacement cables at that time to reimburse for the damage.     You didn't say what the shipping damage was but no, you don't need stronger cables.      In these days of economic and medical chaos, replacing the cables on my tower would be towards the bottom of any to do list.      Crank the tower up and enjoy the contest! Cheers,Steve     K7LXCTOWER TECH -Professional tower services for amateur and commercialCell: 206-890-4188