Topband: Outdoor rope suggestions

Carl km1h at jeremy.mv.com
Thu Sep 4 11:10:48 EDT 2014


Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Ive been using the Synthetic Textiles since the 80's when it first came to 
my attention in a YCCC newsletter and have been very pleased with it.

Price from DXE is $140 for two 500' reels and free shipping.

OTOH I decided Id rather have a 1000' reel and eliminate extra knots and 
went with Davis RF and a 1000' spool of 3/16 Dacron at $130 and $15 shipping 
(they are in NH). Specs appear to be the same or close enough for my needs.

Now to chase down some reliable pulleys as Im not about to climb 180', or 
trees at the other end more than once.

As far as the antenna wire it will likely be #10 or 12 solid deep well motor 
wire as I have a lot of it salvaged for the asking back when copper was 
still cheap. It has a heavy jacket which will reduce the physical length. 
What it will do with UV and acid rain will be TBD but the lower end of the 
catenary ropes will have sufficient length to bring it right down to 
vertical for service.
I might run two different lengths so as to give a flatter VSWR up to 2MHz 
since I do use AM on 160 at times. Also TBD.

Carl
KM1H 



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