Topband: Beverage strain auto-disconnects

[ZR]

If the WD-11A is so weak and a repair problem why not support it on one of 
the higher strength fishing lines as a messenger?

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom W8JI" <w8ji at w8ji.com>
To: <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 12:59 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Beverage strain auto-disconnects


>> However, single wire Beverages are out. The only way I can have
>> Beverages in more than a couple of directions (south, southwest, and
>> west) is to make them reversible. All feeds have to be on the end
>> that is on high ground so that leaves two-wire Beverages with a
>> reflection transformer at the far end.
>
> I see now.
>
>> I settled on WD1A wire for ease of installation. BUT the stuff is a
>> nightmare when it breaks! It is never a clean break, but rather a
>> badly frayed section at least several inches long. Over time the
>> Beverages quickly shorten from cutting out the bad section and
>> splicing, requiring re-adjustment of the end points and/or splicing
>> a new section in. Splicing the stuff is not fun with the steel
>> strands, and splices must be COMPLETELY waterproofed or else the
>> steel strands rust through and the wire becomes too weak. Not to
>> mention the tinned copper strands seem to get "eaten" by the rust.
>
> This is exactly the problem I have with Wireman stranded ~400 ohm ladder
> line. After a few years, if water gets inside, conductors  rust through.
>
> Heat from soldering also seems to remove the ultra thin copper layer over
> the steel core. I suspect that wire is not copper clad, but some sort of
> copper flash or plate.
>
> Anyway, I see now what you are doing.
>
>> I will admit I haven't tried "window line". I should be able to
>> install it with a level of aggravation somewhere between two
>> separate wires and the WD1A I now have. But I imagine that stuff
>> isn't the most fun to splice when it breaks either?
>
> The solid wire stuff is, IMO, much easier to splice. Stranded has the same
> problem you describe. It has to be watwerproofed, and heat removes the 
> thin
> copper "whatever" on each strand.
>
> 73 Tom
>
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