Topband: Inv-L joy

[Herb Schoenbohm]

On 7/23/2013 4:55 AM, Gary Smith wrote:
> My Inv-l came down again. Went out to see what happened and another
> storm weakened tree came down & it's upper branches brought my
> antenna down with it. I really need to use a better wire than 8
> strand computer cable for the antenna. This CAT-8 wire comes down at
> least 2-3 times a year.
>
> Since I use a spud gun with fishing reel attached to get the antenna
> up through the trees I am limited in what wire I can use to get up
> there. I don't have pulleys available with what I have to do & the
> wire is subject to the constant friction of moving limbs & the
> insulation wears away soon enough. I hesitate to buy expensive wire
> as once the insulation wears away there will be arcing to a branch.
> Years ago I used to use old telephone wire, the heavily insulated
> solid conductor zip cord like drop wire but that's not available to
> me any more.
>
> Any suggestion as to a good rugged wire?
>
> 73,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
> _________________
> Topband Reflector

Gary, WD-1A military field phone wire is strong, lightweght and very 
inexpensive.  It is available on E-bay.  Be sure to use a spring and a 
counter weight at one end to absorb the movement of the branches and 
reduce the friction. This method will also mitigate somewhat the 
tendency for a tree limb to envelope the wire and cause additional 
problems with wind and moving branches.

Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ