[AK-VHF] Hazer cable failure

[Edward R Cole]

While lowering my 2m-eme array tonight the winch cable broke and the 
array free-fell about five feet. Fortunately it was almost fully lowered.

Don't think there is any damage to the Hazer though I had the brake 
disengaged to lower it  The bottom edge of the Hazer cage stopped at 
the winch level so antennas did not impact anything (still about 3-4 
feet above ground).  But something hit my head at the end of travel 
which caused some bleeding and a little pain.  I'm thinking the 
bottom edge of a fiberglass equipment box was it and not anything 
metal (luckily).  Guess I will wear my hard hat for raising/lowering 
the array from now on.

I had just been looking at the cable unreeling from the winch and 
noticing some rust; wondering how long one could have use of cable 
before needing replacement.  Turned out only seconds.  Cable failed 
(pulled apart just a few inches out of the winch).  It was originally 
installed in 1998 (so guess I discovered its life-cycle).

I'll order replacement from Glenn-Martin Tower (maker of the winch 
and Hazer) and will have to climb to top of 50-foot Rohn-25 tower to 
re-string the cable as a knot in the cable will not pass thru the 
tower-top pulley.

Temp QRT on 2m-eme and local 2m-SSB.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
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