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Wire strength question
- Thread starter KJ4BAE
- Start date
Probably, but you do not include enough info for us to help you. Do you live where ice is prevalent? Are you using a center support, or no? Solidly tied, or springs, weights? Indoors or out? High winds? Type of supports? (ie: trees or towers, poles, etc...) Permanent or temporary? More info means better answers.
Will be between trees, will use center support if i can but most likely not. I live in central Kentucky we do get ice from time to time. Might use springs but unshure what size to use. I was thinking 18 gage was pretty small but the antenna builder says it is strong enough.<spelling?? I hate to buy it and it break the first time we get a big wind. By the way i'm talking about an 160 meter ocf windom. Thanks for the help.
It should be strong enough. Copperweld is some strong stuff. I would have no doubts about it being large enough for an 80 meter antenna. Never having had a 160 meter antenna made from Copperweld, I can't say about that for sure, though.
Depending on how the thing is stung up in trees, a pulley and weights, or a strong spring on each end would be a good idea. That should take care of any tree movement. Couldn't say how to measure the strength of a spring, but can tell you about those weights. Hang enough weight on the end of the rope so that the antenna hangs pretty 'flat'. Maybe a three or four foot 'sag' in the middle, something close to that. The pulleys used ought to be sort of large too, around 4 inches in diameter, or so. Smaller pulleys tend to not 'spin' fast enough and can bind, which is a very good way to snap the wire. Regular maintenance is a very good idea with them too (grease).
- 'Doc
Depending on how the thing is stung up in trees, a pulley and weights, or a strong spring on each end would be a good idea. That should take care of any tree movement. Couldn't say how to measure the strength of a spring, but can tell you about those weights. Hang enough weight on the end of the rope so that the antenna hangs pretty 'flat'. Maybe a three or four foot 'sag' in the middle, something close to that. The pulleys used ought to be sort of large too, around 4 inches in diameter, or so. Smaller pulleys tend to not 'spin' fast enough and can bind, which is a very good way to snap the wire. Regular maintenance is a very good idea with them too (grease).
- 'Doc
I prefer garage door springs. Lots of stretch, and the farther you stretch them, the stronger they pull, so you have a LOT of adjustment. Any good hardware has them fairly cheaply.
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