Topband: Beverage Frustrations

[Logan Dietz]

    I use a plastic container from the grocery store that is a Tupperware
knock off.  They are small with tight fitting lids and cost about a dollar
or two.  I run the leads through a hole in each side.
    Since I have cattle, I use a PVC pipe to protect the downlead and I then
build a box like contraption to protect the termination and ground post.  I
terminate next to a tree and place two treated fence boards (1"x6") one on
each side of the tree at the base and extending out from the tree far enough
to enclose the termination.  I put boards on top, covering the termination
and a board on the end to make it box-like.  The PVC pipe runs along side
the tree and the first covering board is a little distance away from the
tree.  If you put just one nail or screw (galvanized) in each board into the
tree, you can lift the whole thing up like a hinge to expose the termination
and ground post.

    I like to check the resistance of the ground connection occasionally.
Remember, when checking the termination resistance, you will get a false
reading unless one end is disconnected due to RF on the beverage.

Chuck W5PR

> I have some
> ideas,  but before re-inventing the wheel I would like to hear from
others,
> how you solved the problem of protecting the terminating resistor from the
> weather and moisture condensation.
>
> Also, for now would it be better to mount the resistor on the ground and
run
> a wire up to the antenna, or mount the resistor at the top of the downlead
> right at the end of the antenna?