To clarify, it was the original straight fiber version of Philly-strand that we had problems with at WDAE AM 1250 KHz.
We were able to successfully compensate for the inner strand slippage characteristic by adopting a greatly lengthened foldback, large thimbles, and lots of clamps. If you do use the original straight strand version Philly-strand, just be aware of the slippage issue, adopt a more thorough system of clamping, and inspect it frequently! -----Original Message----- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]On Behalf Of James Wolf Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 8:23 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Ends for older Phillystran On 01/13/2014 04:15 PM, Lloyd Berg - N9LB wrote: > Hi Grant! > > I worked at WDAE Radio in Tampa, FL back in the 80's and 90's. The > engineer before me decided to try the new technology Philly-strand guy > lines on the AM directional towers because they had constant problems > with the original segmented steel guy wires/egg insulators constantly > arcing over whenever there was a thunderstorm in the area. To attach > the Philly-strand, they used traditional metal saddle clamps on this > early ( somewhat experimental ) Philly-strand installation. It was a > real neat looking job with 3 clamps 3 inches apart and all within 8 > inches of the ends of the Philly Strand. Just like you see on steel guy lines. > > It was written up in Broadcast Engineering Magazine with lots of > pictures as the wave of the future for AM broadcast guyed towers. > > In reality, it didn't work well because we were constantly having to > re-attach the lines because the inner strands pulled short inside the > outer sheath, leaving just the outer sheath holding the tower up! ( nude towers, > no antennas on top ). It didn't take long before we realized that we had > to use a lot more foldback length and a lot more clamps! We went with 36" > foldbacks with six clamps evenly spaced to keep things from pulling apart! > That worked and stayed together for the remaining 10 years I worked there. > Yes, we had to insert 6 feet of steel line at the anchor points to > make up for the lost length at each end of each guy lines. > > No guarantees, but that was my experience with the original Philly-strand. > If you decide to keep it, be very careful and inspect it frequently! > They don't make that original Philly-strand for a good reason. > > 73 > > Lloyd - N9LB Lloyd, Was this the Phillistran that did not have the inner strands in a rope configuration or were they just straight fibers? Thanks, Jim - KR9U _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband