[UK-CONTEST] AUTOBRAKE WINCHES

[Cooper, Stewart]

I certainly should have heeded the warning below. Yesterday the cable which
telescopes my 60ft tow tower gave way. The thing was up at about 50ft. There
was only the slightest indication of corrosion. I always place two blocks of
wood on the second and third bottom rung of the tower. Just as well too
really, because the force with which it came down was devastating, and broke
the flapper/safety brake + some tower metal. The first block of wood was
cleanly split in two and the two pieces shot out sideways. The second got
wedged down the side between the outer and second section, which sort-of
broke its fall. It still drove itself into the base. The lower bits of the
lower section and probably repairable with a bit of welding. The antenna, a
402CD, is also recoverable, but it took such a 'twang' that the support
struts extended about 3 inches and put a strange bend into the boom, which
was under stress. Not a nice experience, as I was under it at the time. Read
the warning below!! I really have no excuse, as I knew the cable was dodgy.

Stewart
GM4AFF

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Tran GM3WOJ
To: GW4BLE; UK CONTEST
Sent: 14/05/03 21:56
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] AUTOBRAKE WINCHES

Hi Steve
....
and replace the whole cable if there is
the slightest sign of corrosion. A cable is very cheap compared
to what could be destroyed !

Hope this helps.
73
Chris   GM3WOJ

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