[TowerTalk] WTB Rohn 25G tower insulator

[Patrick Greenlee]

For those among us not initiated in oil field terminology... Sucker rods 
are the vertical tension members connecting the Texas Grasshoppers 
(Pumpjack) to the underground pump.  These are fitted with threaded 
terminations so that several can be placed in series. Steel is a typical 
material but fiberglass is also used. This from Wikipedia ==> "Sucker 
rods are also commonly available made of fiberglass in 37 1/2 foot 
lengths and diameters of 3/4, 7/8, 1, and 1 1/4 inch. These are 
terminated in metallic threaded ends, female at one end and male at the 
other."

These fiberglass rods are very strong, available inexpensively on the 
used market  (in areas with oil fields such as OKC and Midland Texas), 
and can be used for various antenna parts including insulators.

This will give the engineering specs ==> 
http://www.fiberglasssuckerrods.com/technical-data.html

The threaded terminations make it easy to transition to steel should 
that be desired or to connect rods in series, as when used for their 
original purpose. One of these "pulltruded" fiberglass rods cut into 
several shorter lengths could be used to insulate a tower.  For example, 
groups of these could be used for each tower leg.

The balun in my OCF dipole (90ft X 180ft) is supported by a vertical 
fiberglass sucker rod and in turn supports the OCF dipole wires.  I have 
a 2 3/8 inch pipe 24 ft long vertical lashed to a small oak tree.  the 
sucker rod protrudes from the top of the pipe about another 18 ft.  This 
allows the vertical component of the OCF dipole (Carolina Windom) to not 
run parallel to a conductor.

I can buy these 37.5 foot units 1 inch diameter in single lots at $20 
and in volume they go for $8 but shipping is the sticking point for 
large quantities out of the Midland Texas area (where my OKC source gets 
theirs.)

These are cut into lengths and used as fence posts that never rust or 
rot.  These rods could be used for various applications where strong 
non-conductive structure is needed.

Patrick        NJ5G