Our early morning marine layer has broken up revealing a partly cloudy sky with a temperature peak in the mid-sixties. I finished reading Wire Rope Lubrication by Don Daso, K4ZA in the 2012 November/December edition of National Contest Journal.
He confirmed my suspicion about wire rope and crank up towers.
A preventive maintenance schedule that includes lubricating wire rope is good insurance against future catastrophe. He also mentioned marking your moving sheaves to ensure each one is turning while raising or lowering. I never thought about that and it makes good practice because a failing sheave can devastate your hard work in a second. Likewise, as Don mentioned, use a rag when applying your chosen lubricant in addition it typically snags any broken strands.
Contest on!