On Jul 20, 12:04 pm, "John Doe" wrote:
wrote in message

ups.com...

Hi folks:

I've got a 110' 80 meter dipole that I've used for the past 4
years. I have the dipole strung about 30' in the air and connected
between two trees.

Because of where the trees are and the location of my house, I've
needed to use a pulley that's attached to my chimney to keep the
dipole closer to my house. The pulley is located near the center of
the antenna, and it creates about a 25 degree angle from the chimney
to the other tree.

Each year I have to repair the antenna wire right around where the
pulley is. I'm guessing because I use a cheap antenna wire
(purchased at Radio Shack ... about 14 gauge I believe), that's why my
antenna keeps breaking. I don't see how the pulley's creating that
much wear on the antenna, although I'm sure it's possible.

Would you guess that I'd have better luck if I was to purchase a
stronger antenna wire, such as a copper-clad steel wire I can get at
Universal Radio? http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/cable/wire.html

Thanks for your suggestions.

Clark
KB9SJD

My $0.02 worth - I would go to the nearest electrical supply store and
purchase 13 ga copper stranded wire with a plastic coating and a small piece
of either plastic or rubber tubing and slide the antenna wire into the
tubing only enough to where you need to run the whole assy thru the pulley.
The 13 ga wire is stronger than the RS wire and the outside covering should
withstand the abrasiveness of the pulley!
73's de Howard W3CQH

Thanks Howard. Does the plastic coating affect the signal at all?

Clark