Topband: Beverage strain auto-disconnects

[Tom W8JI]

> My Beverages run through forest. Falling trees caused many wire
> breaks and high maintenance until I started using strain disconnects
> at all ends. I use a "fuse" link of #18 soft copper wire between the
> end insulator and the support pole/tree.

I use good end insulators, and bring the wire down from the end insulator 
without a splice. The end insulators are anchored to things that the 
Beverage cannot pull over.

I use at least a dual loop of wire on the insulator to the mounting tree or 
pole.

Then the wire break does not hurt a thing. It always breaks the Beverage, 
and the ends never pull on anything.

The life ending thing I have is rust on Beverage wires (when cad plated or 
zinc steel) or lightning. Otherwise, just make a reasonable splice anywhere 
it breaks. Good splices are easy no matter where they are at, except 
electric fence wire does not like to be heated too much or it will damage 
coating and promote rust.

I only get 4-6 years maximum out of steel electric fence wire, some batches 
less.

73 Tom