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Guy lines are used to stabilize structures and signs, made of rope, wire or cable. They are evenly spaced around the structure to provide optimal support. They are commonly used in tents, ship and radio masts, utility poles, wind turbines, awnings or canopies. Mast antennas are the most common structures that regularly use tie rods for stability. The material used for a type cable is important when a mast antenna is involved, as the metal or other highly conductive substance and the length of the cable can greatly affect the radiation signal patterns. An alternative to the steel rod commonly used on mast antennas is a non-conductive polymer or plastic cable.
A guy line is a stabilizing brace used to secure or stabilize a sign or structure. It can be made of rope, wire or cable. One end of the wire is attached to the structure or sign and the other end is anchored at a distance to a stable ground object by tension. These cables are commonly used to reinforce tents, ship and radio masts, utility poles, wind turbines, awnings or canopies.
To allow the tension of several tie rods to counterbalance the tension of the others and provide optimal support, they are often evenly spaced around the structure. This configuration can be trios, pairs of pairs or other sets appropriate to the structure to be fixed. An example of a once common trio configuration would be a residential rooftop television antenna secured by three evenly spaced wires.
Electric utility poles are good examples of shorter, stronger structures that need only a single cable to stabilize against the pull of the electrical cables connected to it. Some cables are on structures so tall that aircraft safety signs must be attached to ensure visibility. Another common use is on a sailboat, where a rope is used to control the end of a spar or spinnaker pole. Depending on the boat, one or more tie rods may be required for stability.
Mast antennas are the most common structures that regularly use tie rods for stability. The material used for a type cable is important when a mast antenna is involved, as the metal or other highly conductive substance and the length of the cable can greatly affect the radiation signal patterns. They can also obstruct ground signals if they are in close proximity to the site.
To avoid interference, porcelain insulators were used in the past as dividers on the tie rod if it was to be used in conjunction with a mast antenna. The insulators prevented the development of large pockets of static electricity that could cause dangerous discharges. Careful maintenance to these insulators was required to prevent the shaft from collapsing.
In recent years many mast antennas are manufactured with insulators already installed and grounded with grounded coils. This prevents the rod from interfering with radiation patterns. It also makes maintenance of the structure easier and safer.
An alternative to the steel rod commonly used on mast antennas is a non-conductive polymer or plastic cable. This option reduces interference caused by steel wires. However, it’s not a popular choice in most cases, as polymers don’t hold up very well to the elements and need to be replaced regularly.
