wrote:
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


Hello Clark,

Another possibility is to replace the pulley with an insulator and
attach the insulator to your chimney with a length of shock cord. The
pulley can allow movement of the antenna toward one tree or the other,
but does nothing to relieve the effects of the trees moving in opposite
directions in windy conditions. You need something other than the
antenna wire to reduce the tension caused by those movements.

The shock cord stretches nicely as the wind blows and it is cheaper and
easier to replace than the antenna wire. Some use springs or weights
instead.

Chuck
NT3G

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