On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 23:48:02 -0400, "Jack Painter"
wrote:


"Jimmie" wrote

"Ken" wrote in message
...
Do I need a dogbone or egg insulator at each end of my dipole, or can
I just splice the antenna wire to the nylon braid that runs to my
trees?

Is the answer different for, say, under 100 watts vs 1,000 watts? HF
vs. VHF?

I would probably put a small nylon thimble in the nylon braid to
provide a decent radius for the wire end.

Ken KC2JDY

I ve done it with 500 watts up to 10 meters, No problems rain or shine.


And thus another radio-myth is dispelled....

I doubt anyone disagrees that insulators which help support the radio
apparatus industry, er, I mean the ends of the dipole, are "proper"
connections. But I'll gladly show pictures to anyone who doubts that the
(8.9 mhz length) 1/4 wave ends of my dipole are operating that way. And
there is indisputable evidence I have operated this way at very long ranges
during icestorms, torrential downpours, and even hurricanes. Never saw a
noticeable variation in the consistent 1.1 to 1 SWR as indicated on the
tuner. So the 30 odd feet of string holding the ends of the 8mhz components
of the dipole are definitely not robbing it or shorting out.

I also doubt Marconi would have a problem with that!

Jack


I guess it just depends on how often you want to re-hang an antenna.
The antenna wire will certainly cut through the nylon string or cord
far quicker than it will a ceramic or polymer-type dogbone or egg.

Bob
k5qwg