I never used clamps, simply put the 6 wires through the eye of an insulator
and wrap it back on it's self.

The pvc is plenty strong enough, I think the last ones I made the pipe was
almost 1/2" thick outside to inside.

I have used a number of different type wires, one made from enameled copper
wire #18 was neat. You almost could not see the wires at certain times of
day and had the illusion of the rings floating in the air. At another time
of day the sun hit it just right and appeared to be a solid copper pipe
hanging in the air. I have used both Au and galvanized wire and for all
practical purposes they operated the same. The fence wire is #16.

For the connection I normally use brass contacts salvaged from an old
electrical panel. They seem to work well and last a long time.Let me define
my long time, I rarely have an antenna up more than 2 years as I am always
trying something new.


"J. Mc Laughlin" wrote in message
...
Dear Fred (W4JLE):
Oh my. I never thought of PVC 12" sewer pipe.

Thank you for that, and the other, details. I will be on the lookout
for such pipe and measure its thickness. Apparently, the pipe is strong
enough that the end supports do not buckle. I would have expected to need
supplemental braces on the end supports.

Presumably, the electric fence wire is solid aluminum. If so, you
must
use a pair of substantial clamps at the feed point and some sort of Al to
Cu
transition.

Thanks. 73 Mac N8TT

--
J. Mc Laughlin; Michigan U.S.A.
Home:
"Fred W4JLE" wrote in message
...
They make a 12" PVC pipe. I got some scrap sections from the guy who put
in
sewer lines in my town.

The pipe is cut in such a way that you have rings 12" in diameter and
3/8"
wide. Holes are drilled every 60 degrees. I use 5 rings on each end (10
total). The wires are tied together at the center and end insulators.

I normally tie a wire between a tree and the hitch on my pickup with the
5
rings pre strung. Then add the other 5 wires. Once the whole mess is put
together slide the rings an equal distance apart. The ones at the ends
should be 18 inches from each insulator. Use 6 inch pieces of wire to
anchor
the rings. Wrap a couple of inches around the wire, over the top of the
ring
and continue wrapping on the wire. 3 per ring works well. Being cheap
and
as
this antenna uses a LOT of wire I make mine out of electric fence wire
(1/4
mile for $7.00). Get some help holding the ends as you raise it. If not
you
will end up with the worlds biggest "slinky".

"J. Mc Laughlin" wrote in message
...
Dear W4JLE:

Please expand on the paragraph shown below. Sewer pipe is most
often,
hereabout, made of cast iron. What is your pipe made of? How thick
is
it?
(I assume that the 3/8" mentioned is the height of pieces of pipe that
were
used as wire spacers.) How many short sections of pipe did you use?

Thanks, Mac N8TT

--
J. Mc Laughlin; Michigan U.S.A.
Home:
"Fred W4JLE" wrote in message
...
snip

I have used a number of methods over the years to cover 75/80 with a
single
antenna. A 12" diameter cage works well at low heights. I used
sections
of
12 " sewer pipe cut 3/8" thick and 6 wires coming to a cone at the
end.

snip