Leadout cable

[Randy Powell]

I know I can get leadout cable from a number of sources. But if you wanted to get it locally, where would you go? Fishing supply place? hardware store? Joe cable shop and outdoor delicatessen?

[Jim Thomerson]

I got some at a saltwater fishing place in Florida.  80 lb test nylon coated cable. Have had no issues with it.  Also have some lighter sizes for smaller airplanes.  There are crimps for each size.  Wrapping works fine also.   

[James Lee]

Randy
Get a set of .021 or .027 flying lines...   or both...   Lots of lead out material!!
later
Jim

[Ralph Wenzel (d)]

My favorite source is McMaster-Carr. 100' will make up a lot of planes! See:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-rope/=e1lgc

[Steve Helmick]

Randy...I've got three spools in front of me now. Two are genuine Sevenstrand, 135 # and 170#, and a spool of Berkley fishing leader covered with nylon, 80 lb. The 135# is .027" and the 170# is about .034", either would be nice for leadouts. I'm not too keen on nylon coated stuff after the PT-19 crashed at Clover Park.

FWIW, the Sevenstrand came from Cabela's catalog, but there's the store in Lacey now...maybe you feel like going there (they do have Polar Fleece in Tall sizes!)? Or, if I make it to TNA tomorrow, I can bring you some.

However, I'm having Cellulitis problems again, but right leg. Been getting antibiotics since Monday night, by capsule, jab in the butt, or IV. The IV's are daily until Wednesday. This is nasty chit, and I hope nobody else gets it...but it's very common. I was lucky this time; recognized the symptoms (chills, fever, headache, nausea, and then the leg started getting pink). I have & carry on trips an emergency supply of antibiotics just for this stuff.
It feels like an ice pick sticking in my leg...don't get this stuff! No, it has nothing to do with fat!

Still, I'd like to go flying, and the weather was pretty nice for the last few days...other than 26F this morning, and super thick fog...  I hope that kettle is full of hot 'n Spicey Gumbo!    Steve

[Randy Powell]

Steve,

If you could bring about 6 feet of the heavier stuff, that would be great. If you feel up to it. If the weather cooperates, I was planning on going tomorrow around noon. But the weather report is rain in the morning and winds 15-20 dropping around noon to 5-10 and about 40 degrees, mostly cloudy. I plan to bundle up. But we'll see what the weather looks like. Call me if you're coming.

[Wayne Collier]

However, I'm having Cellulitis problems again, but right leg. Been getting antibiotics since Monday night, by capsule, jab in the butt, or IV. The IV's are daily until Wednesday. This is nasty chit, and I hope nobody else gets it...but it's very common. I was lucky this time; recognized the symptoms (chills, fever, headache, nausea, and then the leg started getting pink). I have & carry on trips an emergency supply of antibiotics just for this stuff.
It feels like an ice pick sticking in my leg...don't get this stuff! No, it has nothing to do with fat!

I've had a few rounds of cellulitis in one of my legs.  No fun at all.  Been hospitalized with it twice, and went around wearing a "unas boot" type wrapping on a few occasions.  Been through rounds of oral and I.V. antibiotics.  Finally the specialist I was seeing helped me realize that because of previous infections and some scarring from vascular surgery I had some fragility in the skin on my lower right leg that may have made it more susceptible to infection. He said that even a tiny scratch could become a big problem.  Long story short, I seldom wear shorts except inside the house; usually wear boots or hiking boots tall enough to give some ankle protection; usually were two pairs of socks; and usually wear jeans that are snug around the ankle and long enough to stack up around my ankles to give a little cushion.  This helps keep out dust, briers, and such.  Thankfully, with blessings from the Lord, I've avoided cellulitis for 14 months now.

[Steve Helmick]

I saw Randy Sunday AM and gave him my spool of 170# Sevenstrand to use what he needed (don't forget to return the rest, Randy!!!), so his L.O. needs are taken care of.

Thanks, Wayne, for your info on Cellulitis. Your precautions are pretty much standard fare for me...but always has been. I think what got me this time was itchy skin at night. I scratched my itchy right ankle with my left foot. I saw or heard a week or so ago that your feet typically carry about a trillion bacteria...dunno if that's each, or for the pair. Anyway, it's not surprising.

I think I will see about getting referred to a Dermatologist, and start watching my P's & Q's with dry, itchy skin, and cleaner feet. Soaking the feets in FAI Fuel should be good, don't you think? One of my problems seems to be an allergy to "Triple Antibiotic Ointment". Well, ok, it would be "Oinkment" to Schultzie. My Dr. says many people are allergic to it.  And Latex. Also very common. Better that than being allergic to Widmer's Heffeweizen (unfiltered wheat beer).  Steve

 

[Randy Powell]

My wife tells me that her mother (who also has this problem) was recommended some sort of DMSO hand lotion for it and it really seems to work.

Thanks for the cable, Steve. I have the roll in my flight box. I'll get it back to you this weekend.

[Steve Helmick]

Hope to see you at TNA, Randy, with your "Shoe" flying more like Pete's "Venus".

FWIW, my leg has not improved much in a week, so I'm in for another 7 daily visits to the ATU for IV Antibiotics, and another visit to my Qua...I mean, Doctor, next Wednesday. I'm not too happy with any of this.

And OBTW...the Kent couple that were murdered in their home...a co-worker. And the sons both worked at our shop for awhile, before it changed ownership. Things are just too weird...we're all kinda freaked out, as you can imagine. The police arrested the oldest son...apparently a crackhead...43 years old, 400 lbs, and a crackhead?
  Steve

[Wayne Collier]

I think what got me this time was itchy skin at night. I scratched my itchy right ankle with my left foot.

I think I will see about getting referred to a Dermatologist, and start watching my P's & Q's with dry, itchy skin, and cleaner feet.

I understand about the itching. I know it can be a problem.  For a while I'd take oral Benedril at night hoping to dull any itching that might occur.  Lately, now that my skin seems to be healed enough to get by with this, I've been raiding my wife's stash of lotions, creams, and moisturizers to avoid the dry skin itch.  Some of it don't smell too manly but this is the twenty-first century, I've already got a woman, and some of that stuff has been sitting around here for years so I might as well use it up.  I sometimes wonder about the olden days on the northern plains where dry skin must have been a problem.  What did they use for moisturizer?  Buffalo fat?

FWIW, my leg has not improved much in a week, so I'm in for another 7 daily visits to the ATU for IV Antibiotics, and another visit to my Qua...I mean, Doctor, next Wednesday. I'm not too happy with any of this.

I am sorry to here about your leg not improving.  I once had to go on bed rest with periodic hot compresses on the affected area to get ahead of the infection.  Even though we've never really met, I have experienced some of the discomfort and frustration of cellulitus so I am praying for you and wishing you the best.

[Steve Helmick]

Thanks, Wayne. Good luck back atcha...

I've stocked up on Gold Bond Medicated skin lotion...smells kinda medicinal. I'm avoiding perfumed stuff, because perfumes are a significant allergy risk. Got some other stuff, in case that doesn't work, but it does. Gold Bond also has a spray anti-itch that works pretty well for the itch, but doesn't do a lot for the dry skin (caused by the stretching from swelling). Benedril Gel is one of my standards, and works well, as does a high octane Cortesone cream. I also have Aloe gel with Benzocaine for sunburn, that I'd use in a heartbeat. My Mom had an Aloe plant growing in the house, and whenever we had a 'skeeter bite or similar itch, we'd just pinch off a bit of 'leaf' and squeeze it onto the area. Right now, I'm trying to see what works best, for comfort and to prevent further skin damage. I don't see any reason to think these will help heal the Cellulitis. Prevent its return....maybe.   

I suspect the Pioneers used horse liniment, lanolin, Aloe, bear grease, or various balms that were available. Some still are, and some folks are still faithful to them. One of my fishin' buddies gave me some sort of balm to use on some sort of injury I had...he was raised on a ranch near Bend, OR. I did use it, and it did work, but it smelled somethin' awful, and I didn't buy some.  Steve

[Leo Mehl]

I know I can get leadout cable from a number of sources. But if you wanted to get it locally, where would you go? Fishing supply place? hardware store? Joe cable shop and outdoor delicatessen?

I use bicycle shifting cable for my leadouts mainly because you can solder the ends to solid wire and not worry about the leadout breaking. For some reason most leadout cables you buy these day is real bridle an it makes them worse when you solder them. Works for me and I have done this for aa long time.