Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
Totally agree. I built a dipole one time and fed it with the 450 Ohm window line everybody likes to use. I twisted the ends of the window line and crimped a couple of terminals on the ends. If it was going to be a permanent antenna I would have soldered it. Two years later when I took it down I disconnected the window line from the 1:1 current balun and the terminals came off in my hand. Apparently when I twisted the strands before crimping the connectors I removed some of the copper. The steel wire underneath had rusted to dust a good six inches back. No more window line here, doesn't matter who sells it, and no more copper weld. On 2/10/2016 5:59 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Copperweld is "nasty" stuff IMHO. If you can support it so it will not flex, you can tension it greater than plain copper. But it 'remembers' the coils it had on the wire spool and will spring back to those coils if allowed to remain free and untensioned. If you pull it while it has a kink in it, the game is over, that kink will become a spot for failure. -- R. Kevin Stover AC0H ARRL FISTS #11993 SKCC #215 NAQCC #3441 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
Copperweld is "nasty" stuff IMHO. If you can support it so it will not flex, you can tension it greater than plain copper. But it 'remembers' the coils it had on the wire spool and will spring back to those coils if allowed to remain free and untensioned. If you pull it while it has a kink in it, the game is over, that kink will become a spot for failure. That is part of why I prefer hard drawn copper wire for my antennas. I use stranded #14. The stranded will endure more flexing than solid wire, and will not kink as easily as copperweld. Any antenna wire will be subject to some flexing (from wind if nothing else), so plan on that - that is especially true if you are using trees as supports. Even though you may have a system that allows the trees to move in the wind without stressing the antenna wire, there will still be flexing of the wire when those trees move. Those reasons are why I use stranded hard drawn copper wire. All my antennas are resonant. For those who are using non-resonant antennas, stranded copper wire (not hard drawn) will usually suffice because some elongation of the wire is not likely to hurt anything. So the bottom line answer is "it all depends" on your planned antennas and how much variation you can tolerate. 73, Don W3FPR On 2/10/2016 6:42 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On Wed,2/10/2016 10:37 AM, Nels Nelsen wrote: multistrand copper coated steel is longer lasting. Not in my experience -- my neighbor hung a dipole strung with copperweld (what you're describing, I think) in some trees with tension on it and with pulleys and weights to deal with tree sway. It was on the ground a day or two later -- the stuff was quite brittle, and simply broke. I really hate copperweld, and would never consider using it. Just remember this when you start trouble shooting strange swr in a couple of years. Copper breaks so easy.Go to the Wireman.com for some good wire. The wireman is a decent vendor, but I buy my antenna wire from big box stores. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
On Wed,2/10/2016 10:37 AM, Nels Nelsen wrote: multistrand copper coated steel is longer lasting. Not in my experience -- my neighbor hung a dipole strung with copperweld (what you're describing, I think) in some trees with tension on it and with pulleys and weights to deal with tree sway. It was on the ground a day or two later -- the stuff was quite brittle, and simply broke. I really hate copperweld, and would never consider using it. Just remember this when you start trouble shooting strange swr in a couple of years. Copper breaks so easy.Go to the Wireman.com for some good wire. The wireman is a decent vendor, but I buy my antenna wire from big box stores. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
Clay Hard drawn, copper weld, copper plated steel stranded is all GOOD STUFF. BUT.. you DON’T NEED IT HERE! I live 12 miles from you as the crow flies. My 80 meter full wave loop made out of THHN has been up for 16 years and has never broken or developed high standing wave. I DO see some of the clear coating coming off but the insulation itself is intact. I will GIVE you all the THHN you need. PLEASE save your money for other things you need. Ronnie W5SUM -Original Message- From: Ron D'Eau Claire Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 3:59 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts That support rope Jim referenced has done a great job here for a number of years supporting wire antennas over 100 feet long hung in tall fir trees. I did provide strain relief - a pulley at one end attached to a weight so the tree can move freely. We do get winds gusting over 60 mph here most winters and the rope has handled the shock load of the tree whipping and jerking on a 20 lb weight. The wire I use is hard drawn stranded copper. I purchased mine through Ham Radio Outlet back when I lived near one of their stores. It is also on line at: http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=71-001462 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Pulleys yes. Cord at a marine store will be expensive. Here's a link to the company that makes great antenna rope that is resold by several large ham vendors. 3/16-in is enough for strength, but 5/16-in is easier to grip if you need to pull it to put a lot of tension on it. http://www.synthetictextilesinc.com/supportham.html I would recommend using hard drawn copper for the wire rather than THHN. You can find THHN at your local DIY store. For hard drawn copper, look at The Wireman www.thewireman.com. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to w5...@comcast.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
Yes, with copper weld it is copper plated over steel. Once the copper gets pitted or scored, the elements can get to the steel core, it will rust, expand under the copper causing the copper to further shed and the steel will rust and break. If one must uses solid or stranded, hard drawn is preferred. 73 Bob, K4TAX K3S, s/n 10163 On 2/10/2016 2:57 PM, j...@kk9a.com wrote: I never had a problem with THHN, but stranded copper weld had a very short life in Aruba. John KK9A - P40A N2TK, Tony tony.kaz at verizon.net Wed Feb 10 14:00:43 EST 2016 In the Caribbean the sun and salt spray gives short life to most wires. I bought on eBay several years ago stranded silver-solder tinned copper wire with a Teflon coating. It doesn't seem to have stretched much and the Teflon coating is holding up very well. I used #14 on 160M and #12 on 80M. Here in NY I use #20 for receive antennas. So, I guess it depends on your climate what works best and what is the best value. GL. N2TK, Tony __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rmcg...@blomand.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
The rigging you describe is almost exactly what I am planning. I can replace broken 14 AWG THHN 3 times for the price diff... IF it breaks... and I will simply use a non-stretching down-line on the tension weight and monitor its descent toward the ground to determine if and when to trim the loop back and re-terminate. I'd use that snazzy, 30% copper over steel stuff if I didn't have the system/access to maintain/replace the loop and I needed it to stay put for years and years... the insulation vs. bare wire has some measurable impact on radiation characteristics, but at this point, I'll just get a loop in the air so I can get on the air when I finish assembling and testing my K3s. Thank you and ALL of y'all for y'alls help and opinions, et al. I have lots of new information and docs to read/study. :-) __ Clay Autery KG5LKV (318) 518-1389 On 2/10/2016 3:59 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > That support rope Jim referenced has done a great job here for a number of > years supporting wire antennas over 100 feet long hung in tall fir trees. I > did provide strain relief - a pulley at one end attached to a weight so the > tree can move freely. We do get winds gusting over 60 mph here most winters > and the rope has handled the shock load of the tree whipping and jerking on > a 20 lb weight. > > The wire I use is hard drawn stranded copper. I purchased mine through Ham > Radio Outlet back when I lived near one of their stores. It is also on line > at: > http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=71-001462 > > 73, Ron AC7AC > > > > -Original Message- > Pulleys yes. Cord at a marine store will be expensive. Here's a link to the > company that makes great antenna rope that is resold by several large ham > vendors. 3/16-in is enough for strength, but 5/16-in is easier to grip if > you need to pull it to put a lot of tension on it. > > http://www.synthetictextilesinc.com/supportham.html > >> I would recommend using hard drawn copper for the wire rather than >> THHN. You can find THHN at your local DIY store. For hard drawn >> copper, look at The Wireman www.thewireman.com. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to caut...@montac.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
That support rope Jim referenced has done a great job here for a number of years supporting wire antennas over 100 feet long hung in tall fir trees. I did provide strain relief - a pulley at one end attached to a weight so the tree can move freely. We do get winds gusting over 60 mph here most winters and the rope has handled the shock load of the tree whipping and jerking on a 20 lb weight. The wire I use is hard drawn stranded copper. I purchased mine through Ham Radio Outlet back when I lived near one of their stores. It is also on line at: http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=71-001462 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Pulleys yes. Cord at a marine store will be expensive. Here's a link to the company that makes great antenna rope that is resold by several large ham vendors. 3/16-in is enough for strength, but 5/16-in is easier to grip if you need to pull it to put a lot of tension on it. http://www.synthetictextilesinc.com/supportham.html > I would recommend using hard drawn copper for the wire rather than > THHN. You can find THHN at your local DIY store. For hard drawn > copper, look at The Wireman www.thewireman.com. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
I never had a problem with THHN, but stranded copper weld had a very short life in Aruba. John KK9A - P40A N2TK, Tony tony.kaz at verizon.net Wed Feb 10 14:00:43 EST 2016 In the Caribbean the sun and salt spray gives short life to most wires. I bought on eBay several years ago stranded silver-solder tinned copper wire with a Teflon coating. It doesn't seem to have stretched much and the Teflon coating is holding up very well. I used #14 on 160M and #12 on 80M. Here in NY I use #20 for receive antennas. So, I guess it depends on your climate what works best and what is the best value. GL. N2TK, Tony __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
One point to consider if running the antenna wire through a pulley. It will work back and forth in the wind and as trees move. The constant flexing will take its toll on the wire. A stranded wire with insulation I have found preferred and lives longer.Also, use large diameter pulleys to keep the bending to a minimum. With a fixed terminating point and three pulleys, forming somewhat of a square, only one counter weight is required at one corner to keep the wire tight. And yes, feed it with a balanced line of your choice. Do bring it all the way into the house, thus avoiding any coax runs to the balun or matching network. On QRZ.COM, you can see my balanced line section from the tuner, running up the wall, through the ceiling, to the attic and to the outside. Lightning protection is on the outside before the line enters the house. 73 Bob, K4TAX K3S, s/n 10163 On 2/10/2016 12:37 PM, Nels Nelsen wrote: Copper is fine for conductivity but: multistrand copper coated steel is longer lasting. Just remember this when you start trouble shooting strange swr in a couple of years. Copper breaks so easy.Go to the Wireman.com for some good wire. NE7LS On Feb 10, 2016 1:59 AM, "Clay Autery" wrote: 3) 500' nominal, 14 AWG, THHN stranded annealed copper, gray. 4) n_n __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rmcg...@blomand.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
In the Caribbean the sun and salt spray gives short life to most wires. I bought on eBay several years ago stranded silver-solder tinned copper wire with a Teflon coating. It doesn't seem to have stretched much and the Teflon coating is holding up very well. I used #14 on 160M and #12 on 80M. Here in NY I use #20 for receive antennas. So, I guess it depends on your climate what works best and what is the best value. GL. N2TK, Tony -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Nels Nelsen Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 1:37 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts Copper is fine for conductivity but: multistrand copper coated steel is longer lasting. Just remember this when you start trouble shooting strange swr in a couple of years. Copper breaks so easy.Go to the Wireman.com for some good wire. NE7LS On Feb 10, 2016 1:59 AM, "Clay Autery" wrote: > > > > 3) 500' nominal, 14 AWG, THHN stranded annealed copper, gray. > > 4) n_n __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to tony@verizon.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
Copper is fine for conductivity but: multistrand copper coated steel is longer lasting. Just remember this when you start trouble shooting strange swr in a couple of years. Copper breaks so easy.Go to the Wireman.com for some good wire. NE7LS On Feb 10, 2016 1:59 AM, "Clay Autery" wrote: > > > > 3) 500' nominal, 14 AWG, THHN stranded annealed copper, gray. > > 4) n_n __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
On Wed,2/10/2016 4:41 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Clay, You should be able to find suitable pulleys and cord at a marine supply store. Pulleys yes. Cord at a marine store will be expensive. Here's a link to the company that makes great antenna rope that is resold by several large ham vendors. 3/16-in is enough for strength, but 5/16-in is easier to grip if you need to pull it to put a lot of tension on it. http://www.synthetictextilesinc.com/supportham.html I would recommend using hard drawn copper for the wire rather than THHN. You can find THHN at your local DIY store. For hard drawn copper, look at The Wireman www.thewireman.com. The only issue with THHN is that it stretches if under load. I have high dipoles under about 100# tension, and I have to trim them every few years. Another way to do hard drawn copper is to buy #8 bare copper at your local big box store and stretch it yourself. Cut a few hundred foot length, tie one end to a tree or telephone pole, the other end to a trailer hitch, and pull VERY slowly until it breaks. The result is hard drawn copper that is 15-20% longer. Before you commit resources to a loop, take a look at the antenna planning applications notes on my website. k9yc.com/publish.htm In general, low horizontal antennas have poor efficiency. Antennas that lack common mode chokes at the feedpoint are noisy on RX, and it's not practical to choke most non-resonant antennas. If ground conductivity is good in your area, a roof-mounted multi-band vertical could be an excellent choice. Study the FCC map. To choose a vertical, study the N0AX/K7LXC report on their measurements of the performance of a dozen or so HF verticals. Available from Champion Radio Products. Well worth the $35 or so that it costs. While you're there, also buy the report on tri-band Yagis -- you'll benefit when buying something to put on that tower when you get around to it. This work was done about 15 years ago, but the laws of physics don't change. :) N0AX is now editor of the ARRL Handbook and the ARRL Antenna Book -- he's a fine engineer who really knows his stuff. https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/m3-ground-conductivity-map 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
For the rope, try qualitynylonrope.com I'm not sure if they have grey or brown but I bought a 500ft spool of 3/16" black polyester for $42. AND they have free shipping for orders over $25. Russ, N3CO From: Clay Autery To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 4:58 AM Subject: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts So, based on a brief survey today, my first "real" antenna will be a nominally horizontal delta loop, while I save for and get construction designs approved for my tower. I'm seeking some specific parts and "preferred" vendors: 1) 3 each, 3" / 75mm MINIMUM diameter "plastic" (UV resistant) hanging pulley with swivel eye, sealed ball bearings, for cable/cord diameter of 3/16" I don't see what I want readily available. I can build them, but I'd prefer to not have to. Yes, 75mm minimum diameter to minimize loop wire wear/hardening and maximize freedom of movement. 2) 500-1000' Dacron/Polyester cordage in grey, brown, OD green, black in that order. 3) 500' nominal, 14 AWG, THHN stranded annealed copper, gray. 4) telescopic pole, preferably cable of free-standing with loop attachment NLT 30' with minimal tip flex. I can build this using locally sourced materials, some drilling, welding of supplemental retention nuts, and tapping, etc, but I'd prefer to get this up in the air. Alternatively, I could provide counter loop guy(s). The rest I can likely source locally. If I wasn't trying to get operational "with dispatch", I'd simply custom build the pulleys and station point pole. I may still do so. __ Clay Autery KG5LKV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to eru...@att.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
Clay I have rolls and rolls of thhn. As for pulleys and etc Home Depot can help. Keep it simple. It will work Better Hard drawn is totally not necessary for your loop. And it's expensive How are you feeding the loop? 450 or 300 ohm line is best. If your going to use it on multiple bands stay away from coax. You will need a good outdoor Balun that the window line will hook to then you feed the bottom of the Balun with a short run of RG8 or 214. The impedence matcher in your K3s ( PLEASE tell me you ordered it with one, some people call it an antenna tuner ) will handle this setup very sweetly ! Go over and look at k5sl's setup since he is closer to you than I am Call me anytime Ronnie Sent from Ronnie's IPhone > On Feb 10, 2016, at 06:41, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > Clay, > > You should be able to find suitable pulleys and cord at a marine supply store. > > I would recommend using hard drawn copper for the wire rather than THHN. You > can find THHN at your local DIY store. For hard drawn copper, look at The > Wireman www.thewireman.com. > > A 32 foot heavy duty telescoping pole can be found at The Mast Co. > www.themastco.com. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 2/10/2016 4:58 AM, Clay Autery wrote: >> So, based on a brief survey today, my first "real" antenna will be a >> nominally horizontal delta loop, while I save for and get construction >> designs approved for my tower. I'm seeking some specific parts and >> "preferred" vendors: >> >> 1) 3 each, 3" / 75mm MINIMUM diameter "plastic" (UV resistant) hanging >> pulley with swivel eye, sealed ball bearings, for cable/cord diameter of >> 3/16" >> I don't see what I want readily available. I can build them, but I'd >> prefer to not have to. Yes, 75mm minimum diameter to minimize loop wire >> wear/hardening and maximize freedom of movement. >> >> 2) 500-1000' Dacron/Polyester cordage in grey, brown, OD green, black in >> that order. >> >> 3) 500' nominal, 14 AWG, THHN stranded annealed copper, gray. >> >> 4) telescopic pole, preferably cable of free-standing with loop >> attachment NLT 30' with minimal tip flex. I can build this using >> locally sourced materials, some drilling, welding of supplemental >> retention nuts, and tapping, etc, but I'd prefer to get this up in the air. >> Alternatively, I could provide counter loop guy(s). > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w5...@comcast.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
Clay, You should be able to find suitable pulleys and cord at a marine supply store. I would recommend using hard drawn copper for the wire rather than THHN. You can find THHN at your local DIY store. For hard drawn copper, look at The Wireman www.thewireman.com. A 32 foot heavy duty telescoping pole can be found at The Mast Co. www.themastco.com. 73, Don W3FPR On 2/10/2016 4:58 AM, Clay Autery wrote: So, based on a brief survey today, my first "real" antenna will be a nominally horizontal delta loop, while I save for and get construction designs approved for my tower. I'm seeking some specific parts and "preferred" vendors: 1) 3 each, 3" / 75mm MINIMUM diameter "plastic" (UV resistant) hanging pulley with swivel eye, sealed ball bearings, for cable/cord diameter of 3/16" I don't see what I want readily available. I can build them, but I'd prefer to not have to. Yes, 75mm minimum diameter to minimize loop wire wear/hardening and maximize freedom of movement. 2) 500-1000' Dacron/Polyester cordage in grey, brown, OD green, black in that order. 3) 500' nominal, 14 AWG, THHN stranded annealed copper, gray. 4) telescopic pole, preferably cable of free-standing with loop attachment NLT 30' with minimal tip flex. I can build this using locally sourced materials, some drilling, welding of supplemental retention nuts, and tapping, etc, but I'd prefer to get this up in the air. Alternatively, I could provide counter loop guy(s). __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Seeking loop Antenna Parts
So, based on a brief survey today, my first "real" antenna will be a nominally horizontal delta loop, while I save for and get construction designs approved for my tower. I'm seeking some specific parts and "preferred" vendors: 1) 3 each, 3" / 75mm MINIMUM diameter "plastic" (UV resistant) hanging pulley with swivel eye, sealed ball bearings, for cable/cord diameter of 3/16" I don't see what I want readily available. I can build them, but I'd prefer to not have to. Yes, 75mm minimum diameter to minimize loop wire wear/hardening and maximize freedom of movement. 2) 500-1000' Dacron/Polyester cordage in grey, brown, OD green, black in that order. 3) 500' nominal, 14 AWG, THHN stranded annealed copper, gray. 4) telescopic pole, preferably cable of free-standing with loop attachment NLT 30' with minimal tip flex. I can build this using locally sourced materials, some drilling, welding of supplemental retention nuts, and tapping, etc, but I'd prefer to get this up in the air. Alternatively, I could provide counter loop guy(s). The rest I can likely source locally. If I wasn't trying to get operational "with dispatch", I'd simply custom build the pulleys and station point pole. I may still do so. __ Clay Autery KG5LKV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
