[TenTec] Tree supported antennas

[Ken Brown]

I use tree supported wire antennas, almost exclusively for the 14 years 
I have lived at the present QTH. Here are a few hints worth considering:

Getting someone to climb a tree to get the line over the right branch 
may be superior to using a sling shot or cross bow, or cast with a 
fishing rod, because you can get the line exactly where you want it that 
way. If you can get it right by launching it up there somehow, then good 
for you. I'm using stainless steel eye bolts screwed into my trees. You 
cannot install those with a crossbow. Palm tree "branches" don't last 
long enough. A line over a stout branch will work fine for many kinds of 
trees.

Whichever way you get the line up there, do not use that line directly 
to hoist the antenna. Use that line to hold up the block (pulley) 
through which the antenna support line runs. This makes adjustments, 
reconfiguration and repairs much easier. In fact it may be the 
difference between repairs being possible, and having to start all over. 
It also reduces or eliminates rubbing of the line on the tree. A good 
thing to reduce since that can damage the tree and the line.

> Sadly, the junk at the two large hardware chains available to most of 
> us is likely not of the same quality as that used in the aircraft 
> industry.
Or the marine industry. DO NOT use hardware store pulleys. Even the best 
ones are not very good. Use small sailboat pulleys. If there is a 
boating supply store around, check out what they have. Otherwise order 
something on line. I have purchased mine from Westmarine. There may be 
other boating supply stores on line, that is the one I know. I'm not 
intending to promote them.

Use line that is the appropriate size for the job and pulleys the 
appropriate size for the line. Even the best pulley can jam if the line 
you run through is too big or too small.

The line that runs through the pulley should be a continuous loop so 
that if you accidentally let go of it it cannot un-thread from the 
pulley. You could put weights at each end of the line, which are too big 
to go through the pulley as an alternate method to prevent letting the 
line fall out of the pulley. I find the loop method to work fine.

I have not found a need for bungees or weights on my lines. I just tie 
them so that the antenna wire has a reasonable tension, but not too 
much. If the trees at opposite ends are moving in the wind, and are not 
in exact sync, it is not a problem. I haven't had an antenna break due 
to that cause yet. This is no doubt highly dependent on the variety of 
trees you are using. I have tall skinny palm trees. If you have a need 
for a weight or a bungee, have it down near the ground where you can 
tend to it.

When the antenna wire does break, or has something hanging from it that 
you want to remove, you will be really glad you used a line through a 
pulley. Mine usually collect palm fronds. (Probably because I am using 
palm trees) I am amazed at how seldom the palm fronds break my wire. 
They usually just hang there. I am using something like 28 AWG enameled 
wire. I could use heavier wire, and require more tension to hold it up 
as nicely. The small stuff works great for me.

Have fun, be safe. If you plan ahead it will last longer and you'll have 
less frustration.

DE N6KB