Try putting a very high value carbon resistor (in the megohm region)
across the ladder line at the center insulator.  You don't have to
lower the antenna when you suspect a break in your ladder line....just
simply check with an ohm meter across the ladder line from the other
end, assuming you have disconnected it from your tuner or balun.  I have
been doing this for years on all the antennas that I feed with ladder
line.  Seems like I read about it many years ago in a European antenna
handbook.
Mike K5UX
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