Topband: Building vertical radiators

[George Taft]

My  80 m verticals (5) are built from varied aluminum tubing diameters, guyed at 3 levels with small diameter Dacron rope.  They are full qtr wvl height.  The guys are pulled very tight to prevent side sway in wind storms, movement during ice storm buildup.  I re-tension annually.

I would have sleepless nites if I used:


> Wind survival is based on how much guying you do; the more
> the better.  I used 440 lb baler twice (1/2 cent per foot)
> so I could put in as much guying as I wanted for practically
> no cost.  A lot of lightweight guys are better than a few
> Phillistands.

Dacron doesn't stretch and is virtually UV resistant.  My low band associate W0CD has used Dacron on even taller verticals without any sign of deterioration.  His verticals have been up nearly 20 years with the same guys. While Dacron costs more than Nylon or baler twine, it far less expensive than Philly.  And you can sleep well knowing it will still be there in the AM.

Someone asked abt guy rings.  Ours were made by a Ham friend with some metal working equip and are 1/8" aluminum plate,  center sized to slip over the smaller piece of tubing at a joint where guying is desired.  Three holes in the outer edge of the plate are used for attaching the Dacron rope.  We use small SS thimbles to prevent wear.

73  George  W8UVZ