[Boatanchors] Guy Wire Insulator Placement

[Bill Stewart]

Good evening, 
This is a bit off topic, and if to far, please direct me to the proper list. 
It is related to BAs since that's what I'll be running into the antennas. 
My 85ft Rohn 25 w/TH6DXX is gonna have to be removed, by 
crane, due to a tree falling across the lower end of a guy set. Thankfully 
it did stay up. The combo served me well for close to 40 years. I hope 
to replace it with a lower tower (maybe 50-60 ft) with a much smaller, 
compromise beam. My DXing interest is just abt nil and has been for the 
last dozen or so years. However, I had fun working the pileups and  usually 
used 100w or less and at most a 30L1 amp. I would like to have an HF 
beam available, just in case the DX bug bites again. Plus the tower will 
continue to be a main support of numerous wire antennas. 
  
On the old tower I only used johnny balls at the tower...none in the 
guy wires. I think I had visions of loading up the guys on 160/80, but 
never did. I never had any problems...maybe ignorance was bliss. 
My question is just how important is breaking up the guys with insulators. 
I'm familiar with the reason, but I'm wondering, practically speaking, 
just how important it really is. 
  
Thanks for any comments. 
73 de Bill K4JYS