Is it true, though, that when the ladderline/windowline gets wet it
negatively impacts the efficiency of the transmission line?

On 25 Apr 2005 16:54:36 -0700, "Chuck W." wrote:

Is it true, though, that when the ladderline/windowline gets wet it
negatively impacts the efficiency of the transmission line?

That's true, SWR increases, but how much do you want to operate when
it is raining?

bob
k5qwg

Bob Miller wrote:
On 25 Apr 2005 16:54:36 -0700, "Chuck W." wrote:


Is it true, though, that when the ladderline/windowline gets wet it
negatively impacts the efficiency of the transmission line?


That's true, SWR increases, but how much do you want to operate when
it is raining?

I understand that some amateurs used to wax their ladder line. Or was
that they soaked the wooden spreaders in hot wax?

- Mike KB3EIA -

In article ,

I understand that some amateurs used to wax their ladder line. Or was
that they soaked the wooden spreaders in hot wax?

I understand that the latter technique was quite commonly used. A
block of paraffin (available at many grocery stores for use in the
canning of vegetables), a large double boiler (electric heat preferred
over gas, I believe?), a bunch of dowels cut to size and end-notched
and drilled for twist-ties, and a few minutes of soaking in the molten
paraffin. This should impregnate the pores in the wood and do a
pretty good job of water-proofing the spreaders.

A more modern approach (perhaps more convenient but I'm not sure it's
any better electrically) is to apply two or three good coats of spar
varnish or outdoor-rated polyurethane to the spreaders after notching
and drilling. Diluting the first coat by about 30% with mineral
spirits may aid penetration and improve the seal; sanding between
coats may be required for proper adhesion.

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

That's true, SWR increases, but how much do you want to operate
when
it is raining?

================================

There's no reason why the SWR should not improve when the line gets
wet.

On 50 percent of occasions it probably does.

In which case it is probably not noticed.