Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
My 2 pennies... regarding the "durability" of staples in the wild; I'm an avid metal detectorist using a detector that costs as much as a new K3s. Iron has a particular characteristic when detected as does other metals like silver, copper & gold. I usually ignore iron/steel readings on the screen & the audible tones accompanying it, just too many old nails in the ground and they are everywhere. However... an old bit of iron with a bend in it can also register with the same values as silver so I have to dig when I find that. You have no idea how many times I have dug 14" down only to find a 1/2" bit of wire the thickness of a staple that has been sitting for easily 100 years in acidic New England soil. We think of things degrading quickly but they do not. Thin bits of iron will be around for a very long time. As a side thing, the aluminum pull tabs from the 60's ring up much like 14K gold. Because I find hundreds of them I decided to make one of the old "love chains" from these that we used hang from the rear view mirror back in the 60's. Those pull tabs are in the same condition today as 40 years ago. Metals last in the ground a very long time. 73, Gary KA1J > You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute. > They are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a > barefoot child playing in the area (after you are SK possibly). > Imagine a lawn mower grabs a piece of radial wire and jerks it out of > the ground with wire staples attached. > > All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and > string them along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4 > inches long. Simple, cheap, safe. > > > Rick K2XT > > > From: Topband on behalf of > cqtestk4xs--- via Topband Sent: Wednesday, > June 6, 2018 8:54:59 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: > Topband: Biodegradable staples > > I recently laid down about 6000 staples. After several months most of > them are starting to really get crusty rust with all the rain we get > at this QTH. They'll be pretty much gone in a couple of years...no > need to worry about biodegradable out here, or in most wet areas. > > > > -Original Message- > From: N2TK, Tony > To: topband > Sent: Wed, Jun 6, 2018 7:10 pm > Subject: Topband: Biodegradable staples > > Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about > biodegradable staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real > close and start adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable > parts over the steel staples I have. > > Tnx > > N2TK, Tony _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
Hi Larry I would vote for the 600 ft beverage and put it about 6 ft above the ground. I added ferrite chokes to all my feedlines to remove any common mode noise. I had chokes at the transformer end with its own ground rod about 20 ft from the transformer and its ground rod. I had a second choke located at the shack end before it went into the house. I had another ground rod there. All well worth it. The added chokes reduced noise significantly. I used FT140-77 cores with 20 turns of 75 ohm teflon coax to make each choke. Two 140-77 cores stacked with 16 turns of coax worked even better. 31 material works great too. Dave K1WHS On 6/8/2018 1:53 AM, Larry via Topband wrote: hi all, living in Tucson where the ground conductivity is 15 (?) which would be the better receiving antenna? 300 foot BOG 300 foot BOG elevated 3-4 inches above earth 600 foot beverage 6 feet above ground note that i don't know what a lawn mower is either. 73, larry n7dd -Original Message- From: Rick Stealey To: Wes Stewart ; topband Sent: Fri, Jun 8, 2018 12:31 am Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples Oh, cactus plants, huh? Your situation is simple - just tie the radial off to the cactus. Problem solved. Simple! Rick K2XT From: Topband on behalf of Wes Stewart Sent: Thursday, June 7, 2018 10:23:33 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples I want to see a barefoot child running around my cactus patch. And what, pray tell, is a lawnmower? Wes N7WS qrz.com/db/n7ws On 6/7/2018 1:29 PM, Rick Stealey wrote: You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute. They are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a barefoot child playing in the area (after you are SK possibly). Imagine a lawn mower grabs a piece of radial wire and jerks it out of the ground with wire staples attached. All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and string them along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4 inches long. Simple, cheap, safe. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
Hi Larry, A 600 foot Beverage 6 feet is a superb topband receiving antenna, especially if you're careful to prevent common mode signals on the outside of the coaxial cable shield from entering the coaxial cable feedline. BOGs are good alternatives if you can't install a 500-600 foot Beverage, but their performance is significantly inferior. Compared to a Beverage, their low angle response is poor, their beamwidth is much broader, their sensitivity is poor and their susceptibility to common mode signals on the coaxial feedline is much worse. 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Larry via Topband" To: rstea...@hotmail.com, "wes n7ws" , topband@contesting.com Sent: Friday, June 8, 2018 1:53:43 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples hi all, living in Tucson where the ground conductivity is 15 (?) which would be the better receiving antenna? 300 foot BOG 300 foot BOG elevated 3-4 inches above earth 600 foot beverage 6 feet above ground note that i don't know what a lawn mower is either. 73, larry n7dd -Original Message- From: Rick Stealey To: Wes Stewart ; topband Sent: Fri, Jun 8, 2018 12:31 am Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples Oh, cactus plants, huh? Your situation is simple - just tie the radial off to the cactus. Problem solved. Simple! Rick K2XT From: Topband on behalf of Wes Stewart Sent: Thursday, June 7, 2018 10:23:33 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples I want to see a barefoot child running around my cactus patch. And what, pray tell, is a lawnmower? Wes N7WS qrz.com/db/n7ws On 6/7/2018 1:29 PM, Rick Stealey wrote: > You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute. They > are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a barefoot child > playing in the area (after you are SK possibly). Imagine a lawn mower grabs a > piece of radial wire and jerks it out of the ground with wire staples > attached. > > All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and string them > along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4 inches long. Simple, > cheap, safe. > > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
hi all, living in Tucson where the ground conductivity is 15 (?) which would be the better receiving antenna? 300 foot BOG 300 foot BOG elevated 3-4 inches above earth 600 foot beverage 6 feet above ground note that i don't know what a lawn mower is either. 73, larry n7dd -Original Message- From: Rick Stealey To: Wes Stewart ; topband Sent: Fri, Jun 8, 2018 12:31 am Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples Oh, cactus plants, huh? Your situation is simple - just tie the radial off to the cactus. Problem solved. Simple! Rick K2XT From: Topband on behalf of Wes Stewart Sent: Thursday, June 7, 2018 10:23:33 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples I want to see a barefoot child running around my cactus patch. And what, pray tell, is a lawnmower? Wes N7WS qrz.com/db/n7ws On 6/7/2018 1:29 PM, Rick Stealey wrote: > You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute. They > are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a barefoot child > playing in the area (after you are SK possibly). Imagine a lawn mower grabs > a piece of radial wire and jerks it out of the ground with wire staples > attached. > > All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and string them > along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4 inches long. Simple, > cheap, safe. > > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
Oh, cactus plants, huh? Your situation is simple - just tie the radial off to the cactus. Problem solved. Simple! Rick K2XT From: Topband on behalf of Wes Stewart Sent: Thursday, June 7, 2018 10:23:33 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples I want to see a barefoot child running around my cactus patch. And what, pray tell, is a lawnmower? Wes N7WS qrz.com/db/n7ws On 6/7/2018 1:29 PM, Rick Stealey wrote: > You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute. They > are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a barefoot child > playing in the area (after you are SK possibly). Imagine a lawn mower grabs > a piece of radial wire and jerks it out of the ground with wire staples > attached. > > All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and string them > along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4 inches long. Simple, > cheap, safe. > > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
I want to see a barefoot child running around my cactus patch. And what, pray tell, is a lawnmower? Wes N7WS qrz.com/db/n7ws On 6/7/2018 1:29 PM, Rick Stealey wrote: You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute. They are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a barefoot child playing in the area (after you are SK possibly). Imagine a lawn mower grabs a piece of radial wire and jerks it out of the ground with wire staples attached. All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and string them along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4 inches long. Simple, cheap, safe. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
Many reasons not to be concerned. First, with 100 inches of rain nothing that is non-galvanized steel last very long in the acidic soil. After six months the staples are starting to decompose and within a couple of years will be just stubble. Second, with 100 inches of rain the grass really grows fast and the staples/wire has long ago been covered with thatch from the frequent cutting. It is hard to find the wire and staples. Third, the wire breaks long before a six inch staple can be pulled out...at least in this heavy clay soil. I know, I ran over a couple before the grass grew over it. Fourth, the land is crop land, no chance of any kids playing on it, ever. I mentioned I put in over 6000 staples. Making 6000 dowel staples is just plain nuts. Figuring cutting,drilling and stringing at 2 a minute, it would take a two days non-stop working to complete that task...not to mention the expense the dowels. I was able to get good quality 6 inch staples for $45/1000shipped. Out here in KH6, that was a steal and it was the only practical way to go. Bill KH7XS -Original Message- From: Rick Stealey To: topband Sent: Thu, Jun 7, 2018 8:30 pm Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute. They are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a barefoot child playing in the area (after you are SK possibly). Imagine a lawn mower grabs a piece of radial wire and jerks it out of the ground with wire staples attached. All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and string them along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4 inches long. Simple, cheap, safe. Rick K2XT From: Topband on behalf of cqtestk4xs--- via Topband Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:54:59 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples I recently laid down about 6000 staples. After several months most of them are starting to really get crusty rust with all the rain we get at this QTH. They'll be pretty much gone in a couple of years...no need to worry about biodegradable out here, or in most wet areas. -Original Message- From: N2TK, Tony To: topband Sent: Wed, Jun 6, 2018 7:10 pm Subject: Topband: Biodegradable staples Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about biodegradable staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real close and start adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable parts over the steel staples I have. Tnx N2TK, Tony _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
You should never use steel staples in the ground. Think for a minute. They are sharp, rusty objects that stay a long time. Imagine a barefoot child playing in the area (after you are SK possibly). Imagine a lawn mower grabs a piece of radial wire and jerks it out of the ground with wire staples attached. All you need to do is buy or make wooden dowels, drill a hole and string them along the radial and pound down in. Only need to be 4 inches long. Simple, cheap, safe. Rick K2XT From: Topband on behalf of cqtestk4xs--- via Topband Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:54:59 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples I recently laid down about 6000 staples. After several months most of them are starting to really get crusty rust with all the rain we get at this QTH. They'll be pretty much gone in a couple of years...no need to worry about biodegradable out here, or in most wet areas. -Original Message- From: N2TK, Tony To: topband Sent: Wed, Jun 6, 2018 7:10 pm Subject: Topband: Biodegradable staples Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about biodegradable staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real close and start adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable parts over the steel staples I have. Tnx N2TK, Tony _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
I recently laid down about 6000 staples. After several months most of them are starting to really get crusty rust with all the rain we get at this QTH. They'll be pretty much gone in a couple of years...no need to worry about biodegradable out here, or in most wet areas. -Original Message- From: N2TK, Tony To: topband Sent: Wed, Jun 6, 2018 7:10 pm Subject: Topband: Biodegradable staples Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about biodegradable staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real close and start adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable parts over the steel staples I have. Tnx N2TK, Tony _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
Tnx folks for all the feedback I got on this. Now I know where to get them N2TK, Tony -Original Message- From: Joel Harrison [mailto:w...@w5zn.org] Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2018 3:23 PM To: N2TK, Tony Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples Tony, I buy mine from DX Engineering. Can get them in a bag of 100 I believe at a reasonable price. You can find them at Lowe's or Home Depot in small quantities in the Garden Center but they're awful proud of them based on their price. I like them as well. I was recently asked why I preferred "biodegradable" staples since I just finished laying down 15 miles of radial wire under my new 160 meter TX array and that's sort of silly to use "biodegradable" with all that metal. I simply told the person I was concerned for the environment and left them with a confused look on their face! :-)) 73 Joel W5ZN > Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about > biodegradable staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real > close and start adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable > parts over the steel staples I have. > > Tnx > > N2TK, Tony > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
Tony, I buy mine from DX Engineering. Can get them in a bag of 100 I believe at a reasonable price. You can find them at Lowe's or Home Depot in small quantities in the Garden Center but they're awful proud of them based on their price. I like them as well. I was recently asked why I preferred "biodegradable" staples since I just finished laying down 15 miles of radial wire under my new 160 meter TX array and that's sort of silly to use "biodegradable" with all that metal. I simply told the person I was concerned for the environment and left them with a confused look on their face! :-)) 73 Joel W5ZN > Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about biodegradable > staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real close and start > adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable parts over the steel > staples I have. > > Tnx > > N2TK, Tony > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Biodegradable staples
I found biodegradable “garden staples” at the local home improvement store. 73, Matt NQ6N On Wed, Jun 6, 2018 at 2:10 PM N2TK, Tony wrote: > Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about biodegradable > staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real close and start > adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable parts over the steel > staples I have. > > Tnx > > N2TK, Tony > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Biodegradable staples
Somewhere recently someone had mentioned somewhere about biodegradable staples for radials. Getting ready to cut the grass real close and start adding radials. I like the idea of the biodegradable parts over the steel staples I have. Tnx N2TK, Tony _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
