Hi Steve,
I don't think Jims message was really a complaint, maybe it was in there but
I don't think he said how old that wire was when it broke. I too have had
a problem with flex weave but, the flex-weave was 9 years old when it broke
during Hurricane ophelia. The "break" occurred at a joint that was under a
fair amount of stress. When its that old, it is hard to resolder but i
certainly don't blame the manufacturer. I don't know what you consider the
"useful life" of flex-weave to be. Thanks for providing some background on
Flex-weave. After seeing your description of how its made etc I am now
pretty sure "wire brushing mine at the end where the wire parted,was not the
way to handle the problem. This antenna has been back up for 4 more years
and I found a way to reduce some of the strain. I have sealed the joint
with some coax seal and for the moment, it seems fine. I will be looking
for your post on your web site that tells what the "best" way to
clean/splice/solder it should the need arise in the future.
I'd use flex-weave again in a heartbeat.
Thanks for taking the time to explain how it made and it's obvious that you
do indeed stand by your products.
73
Chet N4FX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Davis -Davis RF Co." <sdavis@davisrf.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>; <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 4:00 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] DAVIS RF CO. response to FLEX-WEAVE Tm and Aerial
WireRecommendations
> Hello folks, I'd like to respond to comments ref. Flex-Weave Tm, a product
> that I introduced in l988. First, I am very sorry that Jim, K9YC,
> experienced the difficulties that he noted. DAVIS RF Co. has been well
> known for taking extraordinary care of any issues brought to our
> attention. Our devotion to our definition, "Client Satisfaction", has
> been paramount since day one. I only regret that so many other companies
> leave a sour taste in many folks' minds such that customers often are
> hesitant to contact an owner when dissatisfied. Jim may contact me about
> his past problems and perhaps I can satisfy him in some way, if only
> partially vs. the time which he indicates he has spent with Flex-Weave Tm.
>
>
>
> Many millions of feet of Flex-Weave Tm have been sold. Concerns by
> customers have been very limited and of the many dealers, government
> entities, and military units, nobody has ceased use of this product.
>
>
>
> "Significant mechanical stress": I would likely be as subjective if I
> were to say that, based on my wire and cable design standards, the only RF
> wire used for significant mechanical stress should be copper clad steel,
> appropriately sized. I would have to have seen the construction of the
> antennas that Jim refers to in order to be able to judge if any mechanical
> stresses occurred beyond the scope of Flex-Weave Tm. I have received many
> accolades regarding the durability of Flex-Weave, over long years of life
> (also on TT from salty Cape Cod, to "windy mountain top") .
>
>
>
> To address Flex-Weave ( " FW " ) itself: The # 14 is 168 strands of a
> # 36 copper strand and the # 12 is 259 strands, both configured in a "rope
> lay" production process which establishes best strength. Although we have
> received many accolades about this product, and have sold it to the
> commercial and military market, there is one environmental aspect that we
> have found over the years which we must now make clear on our web site and
> in discussion with customers. Acid rain, and salt air environment,
> carries with it an inherent shortening of life with any
>
> copper product, and more so with such multi stranded, very small OD,
> strandings of copper. For many years we have had an alternative choice
> for hi acid rain and salt air environments: one product with high UV
> resistant PVC (note: there are many compounds of PVC, only a few are
> comprised of UV inhibitor).
>
>
>
> We also use PE (polyethylene) jacketing. PE inherently is UV resistant
> because it lacks UV sensitive plasticizers. Our PVC jacketing is
> obtainable in black, clear and camouflage green. the most stealth and
> popular is black. The PE is available only in black. NOTE: The PE is
> very abrasive resistant due to a higher durometer and is very popular with
> hams that have limited space and must drape some of the aerial over tree
> limbs, thus rubbing/abrasion occurs. Someone else's comment referring to
> "tough PVC" is a bit of a misnomer. In most cases, as with our products,
> PE is considerably "tougher" (higher durometer/abrasion/UV resistant) than
> PVC.
>
>
>
> Regarding THHN": A majority of our business is in specialty and custom
> cable design and fulfillment of custom cables and wires. Thus we must
> know numerous dielectric materials, cable design, conductive materials and
> ambient influences. Ref. to THHN, in the context of one comment, is
> likely referring to household AC circuitry wiring, as you all know. THHN
> is the type of insulation system that is PVC with a nylon overcoat and
> this wiring comprises a type of annealed copper that will eventually
> stretch. I respect the sometimes circulated idea of using it for short
> wire antennas, but I do not recommend it for any aerial of any length. It
> also ties into the old adage, "you get what you pay for".
>
>
>
> To clarify another comment: Flex-Weave Tm ( "FW ") was introduced
> first to the ham market and was, and still is, the most flexible aerial
> wire on the market. It did lend itself to rapid deploy, and use by the
> military. However, it was never considered as a "short-life" wire. As
> noted, for longer life in problem environments, use our jacketed types,
> and you can still tie it in bowline or other knots to highly secure to
> insulators, etc. Also, jacketed FW is virtually "kink-proof". Bare FW
> can kink if not handled somewhat carefully, but kinks less than many other
> wire options.
>
>
>
> With regard to "tough PVC" for long life, please opt for PE jacketed,
> like "Poly Stealth 13" (13 AWG), and I can almost assure you that the PE
> jacket will survive in "breathable" environments for 25-30 years or more,
> as far as atmospheric influences are concerned ("current" atmospherics,
> and lets hope we get "greener" as time evolves !! HI). "Poly Stealth 13"
> consists of a 19 strand CCS (copper clad steel, also ref'd to as "Copper
> Weld", a tm of Copperweld Bimetallics, LLC.), it is NOT Flex-Weave Tm.
> FW12P and FW14P, and the FW12 or 14 PVC is also available from us, or many
> of our authorized dealers.
>
>
>
> DAVIS RF Co. supplies wire materials to best suit particular
> applications. I apologize for being remiss in not recognizing sooner that
> we need to put info on our site as to the effects of acid rain and salt
> air on fine bare copper lays. Also, I admit that if a Flex - Weave Tm
> wire didn't last a year, then I can't blame Jim's Santa Cruz area salt air
> environment. All I can say, honestly, is that I have only few concerns
> over the 19 years of Flex Weave and yes, I've had maybe 10 questions as to
> how to easily deal with cleaning and resoldering (which I will put on our
> website ASAP, and let TT know). Only other few concerns: using bare FW
> for quads: as I have told many quad planners, you must adequately
>
> compensate for abrasion where passing through, or around spreaders. Think
> "hair like" copper strands (# 36 AWG), but it WILL work, and you will like
> the overall system flexibility. Better yet, use PVC jacketed FW.
>
>
>
> I just hope that people will trust that I am honest, friendly, and more
> than happy to discuss, and resolve, any of their concerns. It is never my
> intent to sell product that is inappropriate for the application:
> electrically, mechanically, or satisfaction worthy.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your time to review this.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
>
>
> Steve Davis, K1PEK
>
> DAVIS RF Co.
>
> sdavis@DavisRF.com
>
> 978-369-1738
>
> ~ Davis RF Co., Div. of Orion Wire Co.,Inc.
> Distribution to numerous industries, Andrew
> Heliax; Times Microwave LMR; RFS Celwave and others.
> Cable design engineering. RF Peripherals.
> www.davisRF.com
> Tel: 1-800-328-4773 (1-800-DAVIS RF) Tech'l: 1-978-369-
> 1738, Fax: 1-978-369-3484
>
>
> ~ DAVIS/ORION Marine Wire and Cable Co., Distribution and Design: UL/USCG
> Marine Stds. Tel: 877-242-2253 Fax: 603-787-2221 (Direct tel to Steve
> Davis: 978-369-1738 or Fax: 978-369-3484)
>
> ~Orion Wire Co., Inc., Design Engineers of Specialty/Custom Cable
> Tel: 1-800-328-4773, 1-603-787-2200 Fax 1-603-787-2221,
> email: j_stimson@davis-orionwiregroup.com
> www.davisRF.com
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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