Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*. The longest
contiguous piece is 240', the second is 140'. 2 more are about 100'
each. 3 more smaller pieces. I just finished untangling it.

I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.

What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

Are there any good antenna designs that take advantage of zipcord?

-j

PS: I'm going to repair my TTFD and hang it along the stream bank. That
should provide a good ground plane, neh?

JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*.

This is known as "drop wire" and is typically used as the "drop" from
the aerial terminal box to the residence.

I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.

What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

A Beverage is *highly* directive. Do you need reception from the
specific direction the lay of the land will allow you? Also, although a
Beverage will work into the HF range, it is typically used for LF and
MF, up to about 2 MHz. Do you listen to those frequencies and in that
particular direction?

If you answer "no", you may be better off selling it for the scrap
copper value, which thanks to our Chinese friends, is quite high now.

On Dec 21, 5:02 pm, Billy Burpelson wrote:
JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*.

This is known as "drop wire" and is typically used as the "drop" from
the aerial terminal box to the residence.

I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.

What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

A Beverage is *highly* directive. Do you need reception from the
specific direction the lay of the land will allow you? Also, although a
Beverage will work into the HF range, it is typically used for LF and
MF, up to about 2 MHz. Do you listen to those frequencies and in that
particular direction?

If you answer "no", you may be better off selling it for the scrap
copper value, which thanks to our Chinese friends, is quite high now.

You might also have TWO antennas;

one North - South

One East - West

and a switch to go between the two.

On Dec 21, 5:02 pm, Billy Burpelson wrote:
JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*.
This is known as "drop wire" and is typically used as the "drop" from
the aerial terminal box to the residence.

I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.
What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

Billy Burpelson wrote:

A Beverage is *highly* directive. Do you need reception from the
specific direction the lay of the land will allow you? Also, although a
Beverage will work into the HF range, it is typically used for LF and
MF, up to about 2 MHz. Do you listen to those frequencies and in that
particular direction?

If you answer "no", you may be better off selling it for the scrap
copper value, which thanks to our Chinese friends, is quite high now.

wrote:

You might also have TWO antennas;

one North - South

One East - West

and a switch to go between the two.

True...he -might- have TWO antennas, but as stated above, depending on
the lay of the land, what his property size is and if he doesn't mind
possibly having to put it on his neighbor's property (trespassing?).
Also, presuming he listens to LF or MF and has a need for a beverage.
Finally, a Beverage is typically good for ONE direction only: north OR
south, east OR west, not both. There IS a "two-wire" bi-directional
beverage, but not for zip cord; it seems the two conductor Beverage must
have a wider spacing (typically 10 inches), obviously much wider spacing
than the zip cord has.

In article , Billy
Burpelson wrote:

On Dec 21, 5:02 pm, Billy Burpelson wrote:
JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*.
This is known as "drop wire" and is typically used as the "drop" from
the aerial terminal box to the residence.

I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.
What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

Billy Burpelson wrote:

A Beverage is *highly* directive. Do you need reception from the
specific direction the lay of the land will allow you? Also, although a
Beverage will work into the HF range, it is typically used for LF and
MF, up to about 2 MHz. Do you listen to those frequencies and in that
particular direction?

If you answer "no", you may be better off selling it for the scrap
copper value, which thanks to our Chinese friends, is quite high now.

wrote:

You might also have TWO antennas;

one North - South

One East - West

and a switch to go between the two.

True...he -might- have TWO antennas, but as stated above, depending on
the lay of the land, what his property size is and if he doesn't mind
possibly having to put it on his neighbor's property (trespassing?).
Also, presuming he listens to LF or MF and has a need for a beverage.
Finally, a Beverage is typically good for ONE direction only: north OR
south, east OR west, not both. There IS a "two-wire" bi-directional
beverage, but not for zip cord; it seems the two conductor Beverage must
have a wider spacing (typically 10 inches), obviously much wider spacing
than the zip cord has.

Thanks for the info. If I want to try tropical band, the stream to the
south lines up with Havana and Managua; have to calculate an optimal
length...
-j

On Dec 21, 11:51*am, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*. The longest
contiguous piece is 240', the second is 140'. 2 more are about 100'
each. 3 more smaller pieces. I just finished untangling it.

IIRC This is a Twin Pair of Copper 'Clad' Steel Wire
used as the Drop-Line from the Telephone Pole to the
House's Telephone Service Entrance.


I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.

What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

Are there any good antenna designs that take advantage of zipcord?

-j

PS: I'm going to repair my TTFD and hang it along the stream bank. That
should provide a good ground plane, neh?

On Dec 21, 4:07*pm, RHF wrote:
On Dec 21, 11:51*am, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:

Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*. The longest
contiguous piece is 240', the second is 140'. 2 more are about 100'
each. 3 more smaller pieces. I just finished untangling it.



- IIRC This is a Twin Pair of Copper 'Clad' Steel Wire
- used as the Drop-Line from the Telephone Pole to the
- House's Telephone Service Entrance.

Testing : Copper Clad Steel Wire -v- Solid Copper Wire

Strip-off and Inch or two of the Insulation and Test
the Inner two Wires with a Magnet.

If the Magnet Sticks - It is Copper Clad Steel Wire.

If the Magnet Does Not Stick - It is Solid Copper Wire.

~ RHF

In article
,
RHF wrote:

On Dec 21, 4:07*pm, RHF wrote:
On Dec 21, 11:51*am, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:

Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*. The longest
contiguous piece is 240', the second is 140'. 2 more are about 100'
each. 3 more smaller pieces. I just finished untangling it.



- IIRC This is a Twin Pair of Copper 'Clad' Steel Wire
- used as the Drop-Line from the Telephone Pole to the
- House's Telephone Service Entrance.

Testing : Copper Clad Steel Wire -v- Solid Copper Wire

Strip-off and Inch or two of the Insulation and Test
the Inner two Wires with a Magnet.

If the Magnet Sticks - It is Copper Clad Steel Wire.

If the Magnet Does Not Stick - It is Solid Copper Wire.

~ RHF
.


Yes, it's magnetic, which perhaps explains no verdigris on the
weathered cut ends. (Rust would look like copper to the casual
observer:-)) I guess the "upside" is that steel wire should hold up
thru a lot of ice storms...
-j




I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.

What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

Are there any good antenna designs that take advantage of zipcord?

-j

PS: I'm going to repair my TTFD and hang it along the stream bank. That
should provide a good ground plane, neh?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*. The longest
contiguous piece is 240', the second is 140'. 2 more are about 100'
each. 3 more smaller pieces. I just finished untangling it.

I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.

What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

Are there any good antenna designs that take advantage of zipcord?

-j

PS: I'm going to repair my TTFD and hang it along the stream bank. That
should provide a good ground plane, neh?


That stuff is almost impossible to "zip" apart. Twist and solder the
conductors together at both ends of the 240' piece . Get one end real
high up, hook the other end to the radio. It'll kick serious butt.

In article , David
wrote:

JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Friend of mine bought an old farmhouse in the country. A tenant 30
years ago worked for telco, and used to throw things away in the woods
behind the house. I now have approximately 700 feet of black outdoor
telco line. It looks like zipcord or 2-conductor appliance wire. It has
a *very* tough jacket; the copper hasn't oxidized *at all*. The longest
contiguous piece is 240', the second is 140'. 2 more are about 100'
each. 3 more smaller pieces. I just finished untangling it.

I live in the 'burbs. Nine 100' Loblollies; Six 80' hardwoods. Back
property edge ends in a stream, eight feet down in a gully. Wind
recently brought down my horizontal loop and my TTFD, so in effect, I'm
(mentally) starting over.

What would you do? Unzip and solder the phone line for a 1000' Beverage
fastened with zip-ties to the shrubbery above the stream? (I doubt any
neighbors would even notice the wire.)

Are there any good antenna designs that take advantage of zipcord?

-j

PS: I'm going to repair my TTFD and hang it along the stream bank. That
should provide a good ground plane, neh?


That stuff is almost impossible to "zip" apart.

Tough as nails.

Twist and solder the
conductors together at both ends of the 240' piece . Get one end real
high up, hook the other end to the radio. It'll kick serious butt.

I may do that, except I've got some toroids and coax to the stream, so
I'll try to get the entire antenna 70' away from all dwellings...
-j