[TowerTalk] Wire Dipole Meets High Voltage Electric Fence: Keeping the Receiver Happy

[ersmar at comcast.net]

Jeff:

     You might consider doing what the electric utilities do when they're working around live wires: sleeve them with rubber.  You might see this where a new power line is being installed above a live circuit that it's crossing, or where construction equipment like cranes might come into contact with the energized conductors.

     I would suggest slitting lengths of rubber garden hose and slipping them over the DE-ENERGIZED span or spans of electric fence wire below your dipole.  I have no idea what the dielectric breakdown strength of rubber garden hose is but it's got to be better than having the dipole and fence wires in direct contact.  

     Of course, I realize you will lose a span or two of electric fence <dissuasion> where you install the hose.  You'll have to decide whether your cattle or other animals are conditioned thoroughly enough to avoid the fence in those areas.

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Jeff Stevens <jeff at mossycup.com>
> I'm looking to set up a wire dipole for 40 meters however have an
> interesting problem.  We certainly have the space and structures to put
> together some rather large wire antennas.  The issue is the electric
> fencing we use to section off various pastures for farm animals.
> 
> I'm not so concerned about the noise from the electric fence but rather
> the possibility of a wire antenna coming down on top of an electrified
> fence.  While the fencing runs only a few mA, referenced to earth ground
> it runs about 5000V.  If a wire antenna were to contact the electrified
> fence, I think the transceiver would be quite unhappy.  It doesn't
> matter where an antenna is located on our lot; If it's of any size and
> it comes down it *will* likely contact the electric fence.  Disabling
> the electric fence isn't an option either.
> 
> So, what am I to do?  Is there any hope?  Are there any lightning
> protection products that might be appropriate?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> -Jeff
> KE7FRJ
> 
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