Topband: Outdoor rope suggestions

[Charlie]

Back in 1986, I bought two 500' spools of 5/16" black Dacron rope from
Synthetic Textiles along with two 1000' spools of 3/16" rope and two of
their hot knives. I have  used and abused and re- used  it on all manner of
antennas over the years in three different locations  since 1986 with no
signs of wear or rot, regardless of sun and weather - and it DOESN'T
stretch!!  (It's worth it to use the hot knife to cut it so the ends don't
fray.) The Synthetic Textiles Dacron rope is the REAL STUFF! We all would do
well to check with our favorite supplier to determine from whom they source
their "Dacron" rope! My experience has been more like Tom's and Pat's. I
won't use anything else on my antennas! Back in the 1980s Synthetic 
Textiles was running ads in QST and  I bought mine directly from the mfr. I
can't wear it out!

 73,
Charlie, K4OTV




-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tom W8JI
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 5:37 PM
To: Jim GM; topband
Subject: Re: Topband: Outdoor rope suggestions

> In about 7 years that Dacron stuff starts to dry out and comes apart 
> slowly, Rots it in water like rain gutters.
>

Perhaps you are confusing it with something else, or you bought some fake
Chinese forgery?

Dacron rope (a trade name for a polyester rope derivative with less stretch
than nylon)  is rated everywhere as being excellent for UV resistance with
good or excellent chemical resistance, mildew resistant, and good abrasion
resistance.

It is commonly used as a marine rope. I have some that has been up for 15
years in Georgia sunshine, and it was used when I installed it!

There are some inferior ropes out there. I bought some Wal-Mart Nylon rope
that had no UV resistance at all. It lasted less than a year, while other
Nylons last many years. The Wal-Mart made in China Nylon rope was more like
polypropylene.


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