I am getting ready to put up my masts (5 of them) for a 160m
full wave loop. For the most part I am using recycled
telescoping tv masts which will be up around 50+ feet. The
masts are metal. There will be a pulley at the top of the
mast and the antenna will be pulled up with a dacron rope.

The question is what material to use for the guy wires on the
masts. Is there a compelling argument not to use wire guys
because they might be of lengths that will resonate or
otherwise detract from the anticipated effectiveness of this
antenna, or is this a non issue, given that the mast is
already metal anyway, and the rope to the insulator holding
up the antenna wire (#14 hard drawn braided copper) will be
approximately 10 feet away from the top of the mast.

Wire for the guys (three sets of four wires, eg. one set for
each of the top three tiers) would be easier, and somewhat
more permanent than rope. If I were to use the dacron rope
for the guys, then I would put up pulleys (that is 12 pulleys
just on one mast) so that a new rope could be threaded up
there in the future without the mast coming down.

For all practical purposes wire guys would be permanent. If
wire is used is it necessary to break up the lengths of the
guys with dielectric strain insulators or is this a non-issue
with this antenna design.

The physical loop circumscribed by the actual circumstances
of mast placement is approx. 588 feet. The loop needs to be
about 540 feet, this difference of 48' will be absorbed by
the 5 dacron ropes pulling up the antenna, that is why I am
saying the antenna wire will be about 10' away from the tops
of the masts. It is anticipated that the antenna will be fed
by diy ladder line from one of the corners.

Any pointers or useful information is welcome.

tnx,

-bill