Guy-wire

[1] Conductive guy cables for radio antenna masts can catch and deflect radiation in unintended directions, so their electrical characteristics must be included in the design.

Often the guy wire is divided by strain insulators into isolated sections whose lengths are not resonant with the transmission frequencies.

The guys supporting a sailboat mast are called "standing rigging" and in modern boats are stainless steel wire rope.

Guys are particularly needed on dead-end (anchor) poles, where a long straight section of wire line ends, or angles off in another direction.

Conductive metal guy-wires whose lengths are near to quarter wavelength multiples of the transmitted frequency can distort the radiation pattern of the antenna.

To prevent this, each guy wire is divided by strain insulators into multiple sections, each segment non-resonant at the transmitted wavelength.

Non-conductive guys of Kevlar fiber (Phillystran) or extruded fiberglass rod are frequently used to not disturb the radiation pattern of the antennas.

The individual sections of conductive guys can develop large charges of static electricity, especially on very tall masts.

When operating a crane, guy wires, known as tag lines, may be connected to unwieldy payloads, allowing ground crew to control rotation and swaying while maintaining a safe distance.

They can stabilize aerial firefighting equipment, such as portable water tanks or observation towers, ensuring they remain secure during operations.

[2] Additionally, guy wires may support temporary structures, like tents or command centers, set up near a fire scene, and secure communication equipment necessary for coordinating firefighting efforts.

In situations where structures are at risk of collapse due to fire damage, guy wires can also help stabilize them temporarily while firefighters work to control the blaze.

[4] In the historical form of dead man anchor, a log is buried horizontally in a trench with the guy attached perpendicularly to its center.

These are commonly used as guy anchors for utility poles since they are quick to install with a truck mounted hydraulic powered auger drive.

A steel anchor rod with an eye is inserted, and the hole around it is filled with a liquid grout consisting of concrete and an expansion agent or a structural epoxy.