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Re: Topband: Electric Fence

To: Topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Electric Fence
From: "Missouri Guy, N0TT" <n0tt1@juno.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 04:09:54 +0000
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
> The one I bought was a "FiShock" brand.  Internally it is a
> simple transformer with two separate bobbins with the secondary at
> 1.2kv. It makes a pretty nasty looking arc if taken across the 
> output
> terminals but is supposedly humane.

Well there's different degrees of humane.  I know a company in ND
that makes fence insulators quit making RED insulators because
Humming Birds would be attracted to the red color, get
zapped and die.  Small animals might be at risk too because
most electric fence "chargers" are made to control larger
animals and "burn" weeds.  I would imagine that the AC 
continuous types would be the worst to use if small animals
can get zapped.

> Among FiShock's offerings is ALUMINUM wire for the 
> fencing--lightweight and
> ideal for DXpedition or other temporary radial fields.

I've been using ~#15 gauge aluminum wire for open wire
transmission line for many years.   One of my spans that feeds
my 160 transmit vertical is well over 200 feet long and has 
survived several ice storms.

FWIW, the "trick" to installing it is to:
1. *Never* allow it to kink.  It's guaranteed to break if you do!!  :))
2. When splicing use a "Western Union" splice.  I use 6 inches
    of wire on each side of the splice.
3. Use connectors rated for AL-CU when connecting to copper wires.

73,
Charlie    N0TT

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