It was a gamble and I lost. In August of '96 I erected an 80/160M, 72'
vertical using two (2) 40' sections of 3" diameter aluminum irrigation pipe,
spliced and trimmed to 72' height. Mounted on the top was the 80M trap
connected to the 160M wire tails. The vertical was guyed with nine (9)
3/16" diameter Dacron polyester cords, three (3) guy cords every 120
degrees. The guy cords were spaced from the bottom of vertical at approx.
20', 44' & 64'. There are a combined total of 32 copper wire radials
(mixture of 80 & 160 1/4 wave). Hoped to double that to 64 radials this
fall.
There are a lot of MOOSE which wander through the property (5 acres) day &
night during the winter. In order to "alert" the moose during daylight
hours, bright orange ribbon markers were tied to all the guy cords up to
about 12' vertically; however, this obviously was not a night time
deterrent. Lack of night time deterrents on the guy cords was the gamble.
Murphy's law (if it can happen, it will) happened. Three (3) weeks ago,
late at night, one large 900 pound cow moose and her 600 pound calf wandered
down the plowed lane and then veered toward the vertical (through 2' snow)
about 150' away, as if drawn. They both got tangled in one set of three (3)
guy cords. They must have panicked and with that kind of weight the
vertical buckled at about 35' from the bottom. The top part was hanging
down at about 20 degrees and the bottom part was still vertical. None of
the nine (9) guy cords were snapped or torn loose from the double steel guy
anchors. Amazing!
All is not lost! The buckled portion can be removed and a splice added and
the vertical erected again this fall. Instead of steel ground anchors,
three (3) 10' wooden posts will be erected in concrete in order to tie the
guy cords at the top, thus allowing the MOOSE to go under rather then
"through" the guy cords.
Bill NE9Z/7 In Northwest Wyoming at 6900 ft. elevation.
P.S. Moose destruction or damage is not covered by insurance.
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