"Chuck" wrote in message
...
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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For a weight you might want to consider either a Duckpin bowling ball about
4 LBS or a Tenpin bowling ball about 16 lbs... Hey don't laugh - you can
usually find an old beat up bowling balls at most bowling alleys and for a
couple of bucks or less they would probably give it to you rather than
sending it to the landfill... Most bowling balls are made of either hard
rubber or plastic and will not disinigrate for thousands of years in the
dump or elements... If you do decide to use a bowling ball, all you have to
do is drill a hole and screw in an eye-bolt, that you get at the local
hardware store - for both size balls, I would recommend one that is about
3-4" long... 73's de Howard W3CQH