Topband: beverage layout

[Jim Garland]

Steve,
I have two bidirectional beverages (NE/SW and NW/SE), each 720 ft long, configured in a V-shape.  I'm using DXE switching and xfmrs, with the vertex of the V a 4x4 post. I use additional 4x4 posts spaced every 60 ft along the length,  seven ft out of the ground, with ceramic insulators with large holes on the side of each post. The ceramic insulators screw into the sides of the posts and cost about $1 each from a farm supply company. The WD1a wire is a twisted pair, with both conductors tied in parallel for each wire of the pari/ (i.e., four wires for each beverage) The WD1 slides thourh the hole in the insulators and is anchored only at the end points. A pulley at the far end of each beverage equalizes the tension in the parallel wires. My original version of the beverages used ladder line from DXE and it was constant maintenance. After two years I gave up and switched to the WD1a, which is fabulous. It's very strong, which is the primary requirement. I've had no trouble since I started using it. The electrical resistance of the WD1a is insignificant. 

My only complaint about my beverages is that the F/B ratio is often only about 10-15 db, a fact I attribute to the lousy sandy soil at my QTH. I have a couple of ground rods at the ends of each beverage, but I don't think that's adequate.  The side-to-front ratio when I switch beverages is very good, by contrast. 

73,
Jim W8ZR 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Steve Baughn
> Sent: Friday, November 06, 2015 8:52 AM
> To: topband at contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: beverage layout
> 
> I am planning to put up two bi-directional beverages at my QTH. Being as this is the first
> time I have had the real estate and time I have a couple questions regarding same:
> 
> 1) Since these will be running at 90 degree angles to one another, can the feed points for
> both be relatively close to each other i.e. a few feet or so or do they need to be farther apart?
> 
> 2) I have read some contradictory material as far as type of wire to use for these. A few
> sources say WD-1 field phone wire but then another says there is fairly high loss in this.
> Same for 450 ohm ladderline who some say has its drawbacks during rainy/snowy periods.
> It appears that electric fence wire may be the best option given its durability (these antennas
> will probably be running through the woods).
> 
> 3) If I do go with the fence wire as I understand it the spacing should be fairly close
> between the two wires such as an inch or so and mounted about 10’ off the ground. I am
> considering a metsl T post with pvc slid over it then holes through each vertical pvc piece to
> run the wires.
> 
> I am located just outside Mount Vernon Ohio if anyone in the vicinity is an authority on this
> any help would be appreciated.
> 
> Thanks much!
> 
> 73,
> Steve, WD8NPL
> _________________
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