Ice and Snow
The hexagonal beam loves the wind and dances to just about everything except a tornado or hurricane. Customers have reported winds over 100 mph and their hexagonal beam just
thumbed its nose.
But ice and snow can be a different challenge. Because there is relatively little vertical support, the very strong fiberglass spreader arms can be over powered by the weight of a heavy
coating of ice and snow. These conditions fortunately, don’t happen too often and for most customers they never occur. But when that mother of ice storms does hit, it can cause one
or more spreaders to collapse under the extreme weight. Usually, only one or two spreader sections break and the cost of repair parts is only a few bucks. But the hassle of lowering
the antenna and repairing the beam is the big issue with breakage like this.
thumbed its nose.
But ice and snow can be a different challenge. Because there is relatively little vertical support, the very strong fiberglass spreader arms can be over powered by the weight of a heavy
coating of ice and snow. These conditions fortunately, don’t happen too often and for most customers they never occur. But when that mother of ice storms does hit, it can cause one
or more spreaders to collapse under the extreme weight. Usually, only one or two spreader sections break and the cost of repair parts is only a few bucks. But the hassle of lowering
the antenna and repairing the beam is the big issue with breakage like this.
KIO Technology
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Specializing in Hexagonal Beams for the DX Enthusiast
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30 - 5:00 CT
Sales & Support: 1-888-694-3923 (Toll Free)
E mail: kio@k4kio.com
Sales & Support: 1-888-694-3923 (Toll Free)
E mail: kio@k4kio.com
So we have designed a set of ice cords to provide more vertical support. Made of the same
Dacron covered Kevlar as the regular support cords, these six ice cords are shorter and connect
between the center post and the middle of each spreader. The resultant increased vertical
support helps the hexagonal beam withstand the weight of ice buildup on the spreaders.
The cords can be easily installed on a working hexagonal beam either by lowering the beam or
climbing up the tower, depending on the customer’s situation. Or they can be installed initially
when the beam is built, of course.
The six cords are sold in a set for $49 and have the hardware needed for installation. When
ordered with a new beam, there is no additional shipping. Go here to add to cart.
Here is the standard radial cord arrangement without ice cords
| Here is how the new auxiliary ice cords would be attached |
Here is how the auxiliary ice cords are arranged.