Well I must say, my foot tasted as bad as I remember, having read this article.
That being said a little more disappointed in myself for not knowing more about this "tool" because rope in my trade is a tool.
I do have these thoughts on the Gentlemen's (Mr. PHD's) expertise in one point in the article.
"There are other specialty ropes available such as those made from polyaramides (Kevlar and Nomex by DuPont) and polyimides. The Kevlar ropes are extremely strong, but they require special stranding and covering to avoid abrasion problems; their abrasion resistance is quite poor. There are also composite ropes made with a core of one material which is clad with a woven covering. These tend to be rather specialized and are probably not worth much discussion."
This is where I disagree. I have found Dacron weave with KEVLAR as a composite fiber extremely abrasive resistant . I have actually broke it loose from tree bark, because it had been in place so long. I have had it rubbed by trees through years of storms and constant movement from Midwestern winds, pulled it down and found no evidence of breakdown at all. I returned the same rope back in service for more years. I am talking small diameters of 3/16th's or 1/4 inch.
I was first exposed to this many, many years ago when helping a crew install this new revolutionary camera system called Cable Cam (SKYCAM another trade name).
A system where a then 50+lb robo cam flu 3-400ft in any direction, at heights of only a few feet above the field to as high as 200 ft above the field depending upon the highest rigging point locations.
Guess what they used ?.... 1/4 or 5/16th's inch Dacron/Kevlar composite rope!
This rope went through motor driven multiple pulleys, slides and shackles during it's hours of operation.
I was astounded to say the least!
Thus after working with them after the game removing motor power from the various locations where this system "Pulled" from. I asked about this small miracle rope they used.
They were very generous and "cut" me off several Hundred feet from one of their spools and gave it to me!
I am still using this same batch. I have since purchased, and "appropriated" more over time.( Like that one CK?)
Every antenna I have used since has been held aloft by this rope, towers also; only last year after this long of service and abuse has a piece failed.
Well I guess my rant is over, and still wiping my chin after devouring that crow!
I bid you ado...
All the Best
Gary
