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#1
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On 7/31/2011 2:02 PM, Owen Duffy wrote:
PS: hams universally ignore the guidance of NFPA 70 which makes recommendation on conductors for antennas. Are you saying the electrical code is sort of like the pirate code? more guidelines than actual requirements? I think the way that hams can rationalize it is that most wire antennas (particularly those made with fine wire) are, by their nature, "temporary installations". The finer the wire, the more temporary. |
#2
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On 8/1/2011 20:42, Jim Lux wrote:
On 7/31/2011 2:02 PM, Owen Duffy wrote: PS: hams universally ignore the guidance of NFPA 70 which makes recommendation on conductors for antennas. Are you saying the electrical code is sort of like the pirate code? more guidelines than actual requirements? I think the way that hams can rationalize it is that most wire antennas (particularly those made with fine wire) are, by their nature, "temporary installations". The finer the wire, the more temporary. The National Electric Code limits the use of Temporary installations to power and lighting conductors. "ARTICLE 527 Temporary Installations 527.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to temporary electrical power and lighting installations." Copyright 2002 the National Fire Protection Association. -- Tom Horne, W3TDH |
#3
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On 8/2/2011 7:42 PM, Tom Horne wrote:
"ARTICLE 527 Temporary Installations 527.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to temporary electrical power and lighting installations." Copyright 2002 the National Fire Protection Association. I have found that the safest option is to not ever put up any antenna whatsoever, Tom. It's just too dangerous, and gives us unneeded exposure. Can you ensure that an antenna that is installed to the code specifications, will not fall down? Will your code spec prevent you from incurring liability if a wire antenna falls down and electrocutes a neighbor? The answer to both questions is "no", BTW. I find that this entire discussion is pretty amazing when compared to the original question. As opposed to electrical code and liability admonitions, perhaps a good answer is: "Yes, you can make an adequate antenna from speaker wire. There might be better options, though." - 73 de Mike N3LI - |
#4
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On 8/2/2011 4:42 PM, Tom Horne wrote:
On 8/1/2011 20:42, Jim Lux wrote: On 7/31/2011 2:02 PM, Owen Duffy wrote: PS: hams universally ignore the guidance of NFPA 70 which makes recommendation on conductors for antennas. Are you saying the electrical code is sort of like the pirate code? more guidelines than actual requirements? I think the way that hams can rationalize it is that most wire antennas (particularly those made with fine wire) are, by their nature, "temporary installations". The finer the wire, the more temporary. The National Electric Code limits the use of Temporary installations to power and lighting conductors. "ARTICLE 527 Temporary Installations 527.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to temporary electrical power and lighting installations." Copyright 2002 the National Fire Protection Association. -- Tom Horne, W3TDH I was thinking more of local codes or enforcement. After all, the local "Authority Having Jurisdiction" (AHJ in code-speak) can and does override the NEC all the time. There are also a whole lot of other "installations of a temporary nature" in the code: check out the sections about theatrical and motion picture filming. They allow substantially higher currents for a given size wire, on the not unreasonable basis that they're being operated under the (hopefully) continuous supervision of qualified personnel. |
#5
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Very simply, yes, it can be used for making antennas. If it's strong
enough to hold up it's own weight, and that of the feed line without stretching unreasonably, then it should do fine. What happens if it stretches? You shorten it. I think I'd try a larger size for 160 meters and maybe 80 meters, but if it can stand the weight and the weather, why not? - 'Doc |
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