Gary,
Depending on the type of wire/insulation you use, the
insulation can certainly come off. Forgot the name of it
but it usually has a color coat then a clear insulation.
The clear insulation does come off, looks like a snake
shedding it's skin. The color insulation (under the clear
stuff) hasn't come off yet, but it's only been up about
10 years. The antenna does run through trees and I'm sure
some of the insulation has rubbed off. It doesn't seem to
affect things, so I don't really care...
'Doc

"'Doc" wrote in message
...
Gary,
Depending on the type of wire/insulation you use, the
insulation can certainly come off. Forgot the name of it
but it usually has a color coat then a clear insulation.
The clear insulation does come off, looks like a snake
shedding it's skin. The color insulation (under the clear
stuff) hasn't come off yet, but it's only been up about
10 years. The antenna does run through trees and I'm sure
some of the insulation has rubbed off. It doesn't seem to
affect things, so I don't really care...
'Doc

Hi Doc
That clear coating is nylon, and I think what you're talking about is wire
rated as "THHN".
The nylon makes it easier to pull through conduit, and gives some additional
mechanical protection.
You're right - the nylon part does flake off a a bit after some time in the
sun, but the pvc underneath it stays on pretty good.
If you have some 'romex' (or type NM) cable (like 14-2wg) - you have
something different you can work with.
If you strip off the outer jacket of the romex (nm cable) you'll have 3
separate solid (not stranded) wires inside - two are insulated (one black
and the other white) - and one bare wire (the ground).
The black and white wire from this romex does not have the nylon
coating - and so will not flake off. This romex usually comes in 250-ft
coils at Lowe's and such places. The THHN wire (which is very usable, by the
way) usually comes in 500-ft spools - and is available is stranded and solid
conductors, in a variety of colors.

If one can find someone from a nearby railroad, (or a crew
removeing Railroad Signal lines), it is possible to get
Insulated Wire for antennas for Free, or little cost, as
the Railroads signals are going to Point-Multi-point
radio control. Two caviats: 1) the stuff is hell for
stout (#9, or GREATER), and 2), is Copperweld. But,
if you can obtain it (and the scrap value is such, that the
railroads either gave it away, or sold it for the value
of the poles that support it), the only way it will come
down is when your support structure fails! And, yes,
the old "Code Line" wires (at least on the old S.P. lines)
was insulated- some over 40 years old, and you cant get the
insulation off, without burning the wire in a fire!
Have also obtained it in derailments in the past- and
stout enuff to tow a trailer with ! as info, Jim

Hal Rosser wrote:
"'Doc" wrote in message
...

Gary,
Depending on the type of wire/insulation you use, the
insulation can certainly come off.