[TowerTalk] A discussion on Dipoles....

[Lee Buller]

Hi Everyone 
 
The reflector has been quiet for a few days, so I am going to aske a question to get some feed back from the collective wisdom on TowerTalk.
 
I am going to replace my beam and while I am at it, I am going to look at chainging out my dipoles for 40 and 80 meters.  Well, actually they are inverted vees at 45 feet.  That is where they will stay too.   So what is the big deal?  Well, I would like to know what other people are using out there instead of copper-clad steel...or flex-weave...or what ever.
 
Since Sol is quieting down, it seems 40 and 80 are going to be more and more busy.  So, I am interested in what other people have done for the simple dipole.
 
I've been thinking about making dipoles out of RG-58 and RG-8 that I have tons of but do not want to use it as transmission lines.  The would give me some "bandwidth" but what are the upsides and downsides?  How about "cage antenna" for 80 meters?  If you use coax how to you attach an insulator at the end of the coax.  I have some ideas, but I would like to know yours.
 
Thanks for all the collective wisdom....
 
Lee - K0WA