You are using a rope that absorbs RF energy and has a low temperature
melting point. There is a very high voltage electric field at the end of a
dipole which gets absorbed by the rope causing it to melt.

Spend more money on better quality rope. Stay away from 'poly' (or
polystyrene rope). Nylon is good (but stretches). Dacron is considered
better. Natural fiber ropes are very good (such as hemp). In general, if
it doesn't cleary identify what type of plastic it is, don't buy it.

I don't think an insulator would make much difference for this problem but
you should be using one anyway.

--
Jim
N8EE

to email directly, send to my call sign at arrl dot net
"Andy" wrote in message
...
Dipole keeps melting?



I've got a multi-band inverted V trap dipole antenna which as my first HF
antenna seems to working fine, I like the fact that can get away without a
tuner on most bands.



However I've just started getting into 80meters and the tip of the dipole
keeps melting the guy rope isolator hence the dipole leg falls to the
ground, only running 200watts, the antenna is rated for 1kw.



Everyone suggested its high SWR but not according to 3 different SWR
meters
(1.1:5) I always use a tuner built into the amp to give the perfect VSWR
but
after 10 seconds the melting starts and the VSWR starts to increase..



Any ideas?

I don't think an insulator would make much difference for this problem but
you should be using one anyway.

--
Jim
N8EE

Makes BIG difference. You have high RF volatge point at the ends, you need good
quality insulator that doesn't absorb water (like rope) or melt under RF. It
helps to make small loop of wire, so it is terminated in "capacitor" plate
rather than sharp wire end (had that problem with balloon vertical).
Situation gets worse in salty air environment, where rope becomes conductive
when soaked with moisture and salt. Loop made of plastic ties works OK as
insulator, rope tied directly to the end of wire is a NO-NO!

Yuri,
www.K3BU.us
www.computeradio.us - home of Dream Radio One