Return-Path: Received: (qmail 18416 invoked from network); 10 Dec 1999 18:45:04 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO post.thorcom.com) (212.172.148.70) by 212.159.2.33 with SMTP; 10 Dec 1999 18:45:04 -0000 Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 3.02 #1) id 11wUmr-00021b-00 for rsgb_lf_group-outgoing@blacksheep.org; Fri, 10 Dec 1999 18:29:01 +0000 Received: from rhenium.btinternet.com ([194.73.73.93]) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 3.02 #1) id 11wUmq-00021W-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 10 Dec 1999 18:29:00 +0000 Received: from [212.140.34.22] (helo=default) by rhenium.btinternet.com with smtp (Exim 2.05 #1) id 11wUmc-0001RF-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 10 Dec 1999 18:28:46 +0000 Message-ID: <000201bf433c$236e6780$16228cd4@default> From: "Alan Melia" To: "rsgb_lf_group" Subject: LF: Cable ties for insulators Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 13:37:45 -0000 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.5 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group Sender: Hi Rik and others, I have used cable ties on external commercial aerial installations for some time. There are cable ties and cable ties. It is possible to buy very cheap ones but in my experience these are not really intended for exterior use, and are NOT UV proof. Choose a good 'exterior' grade of tie and you may even get 'UV-proof' in the spec. We use black ones but I am not sure whether this affects the loss/insulation properties, as we only use them for cleating up coax. In practice the black ones seem to last longer than the white ones. I have seem these ties last 10 years high up a tall mast, and still have to be cut off when the cable was replaced. I don't know how you use these as insulators, but could I suggest 'doubling up' so one tie takes the tension and a second (not under tension) acts as a safety in case the first snaps. It might save a few FETs!! or in Dave's case loading coils! The other problem is this sort of plastic doesn't like being 'creased' as thhis will reduce its strength considerably. So some attempt must be made to limit the curvature at the ends, and stop it folding. Cheers de Alan G3NYK