More on antenna wire.

[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-2]

Hi Phil,

Forgot to add that I use Flex Weave wire for both Horizontal and Vertical
antennas. Like Julius said it is super to work with and very strong.You can
tie knots in it. Although I am not too keen about using heavily insulated
wire, the insulation does protect the copper from birds' claws and other
flying objects. If I have to make a joint, I solder the copper ends together
(usually a no no ), lay about a foot of 1.6 mm Kevlar alongside for
reinforcement, give the copper,adjacent Kevlar and nearby wire insulation a
good coating of Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) to keep moisture and beasties
out, and cover with flexible UV resistant heatshrink (not overdoing the
shrinking). I usually cover all that with more jelly. Seems to work as I
checked a joint recently that has been up for five years - jelly OK , no
signs of corrosion and no beasties.

Also use Jelly to weatherproof coax connectors (N type) before wrapping with
+33 tape. Could run a kW at a couple of QTHs past with no problems caused by
Jelly - HF and VHF. Don't know how UHF connectors would behave.

73,

Geoff.

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[Alan WB6ZQZ]

Phil,

My approach to wire antennas in hurricane alley would be to use good
quality materials that meet NEC codes, but to avoid spending more on those
materials than is required and plan to replace the antennas after the
really big storms. I always have temporary antenna materials and antenna
launching equipment ready to go (never know when those might be needed,
regardless of where you live). These can be used to get back on the air
right after the storm.

The code calls for particular gauges of wire depending on the span. #14 is
adequate for the spans common to most amateur antennas. Hard drawn copper
generally presents the most cost-effective value and avoids the rust and
workability problems common to copper clad steel.

Of course using good insulators and good waterproofing and strain relief
techniques is prudent.

On the subject of tensioning, the use of weights can be problematic due to
the inertia they present, and can lead to antenna failure. Springs actually
present a better solution. Quality pulleys should be used if required - the
marine type are excellent.

Good luck & 73,

-- Alan WB6ZQZ

http://www.qsl.net/wb6zqz/antlaunching.html  (more info here on Antenna
Launching)


At 12:02 AM 9/9/2004, Geoff wrote:

>...
>
>Forgot to add that I use Flex Weave wire for both Horizontal and Vertical
>antennas. Like Julius said it is super to work with and very strong.You can
>tie knots in it. Although I am not too keen about using heavily insulated
>wire, the insulation does protect the copper from birds' claws and other
>flying objects. If I have to make a joint, I solder the copper ends together
>(usually a no no ), lay about a foot of 1.6 mm Kevlar alongside for
>reinforcement, give the copper,adjacent Kevlar and nearby wire insulation a
>good coating of Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) to keep moisture and beasties
>out, and cover with flexible UV resistant heatshrink (not overdoing the
>shrinking). I usually cover all that with more jelly. Seems to work as I
>checked a joint recently that has been up for five years - jelly OK , no
>signs of corrosion and no beasties.
>
>Also use Jelly to weatherproof coax connectors (N type) before wrapping with
>+33 tape. Could run a kW at a couple of QTHs past with no problems caused by
>Jelly - HF and VHF. Don't know how UHF connectors would behave.

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