Rope instead of wire for guys
What do you all think of using heavy duty nylon rope instead of wire
for guys?
Paint it black - and that will strengthen it and protect it from
crumbling from the uv .
It seems it is popularly believed that black rope is more likely to be
weatherproof than other colours.
There are a range of ropes with good UV resistance that are white, not by
accident, the white colour is a result of the technique used to give them
enhanced UV resistance. Look around at ropes used in maritime
environments and that last for years, they aren't all black, in fact it
is rare to see a dark coloured rope at all.
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Especially at night.
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As to the wisdom of taking a rope of known chemistry, then applying paint
of non-specific chemistry to protect it without proper regard to the
effect on strength or life... I will leave you to think about that.
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Its an antenna rope - so no dangers lurk.
I did not really check its chemistry.
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In this part of the world, riggers are supposed to inspect working fibre
ropes and condemn rope that is contaminated with paint or any type of
solvent.
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They ought to give those condemned ropes to hams, so they can paint'em and
give'm new life holding up antennas.
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Owen
Kool - I'm glad I didn't let one of the riggers from your side of the world
inspect my work. Guys for an antenna will be pretty static so the resulting
stiffness after painting the rope (1/4" cord actually) should not be a
problem.
I used a black latex enamel, strung the rope up and used a "glove" paint-pad
to paint the rope. after it dried, the rope was stronger, and the black
coating kept UV from the sun from hitting the nylon directly.
The nylon rope I used was cheap - so probably not UV-resistant on its
own. The paint was left over from painting something around the house - so
the experiment did not cost too much. But it worked. The paint stayed on -
did not flake off, try it.
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