[TowerTalk] Weight on ends of a OCF diploe

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

In a typical installation for an OCF antenna, I'd think a concrete block 
in a bucket should be more than adequate. Be careful not to exceed the 
ratings of the antenna or tower.   I agree with David on just using the 
weight at the tree, but here (central Lower Michigan), I'd use a lot 
more weight because of common spring ice storms

In my case I have a similar arrangement, but it's a center fed, sloping, 
half wave dipole with one end to the tower and the lower end to a 
"substantial" tree.  I use a relatively strong braided Dacron rope 
(available from Davis RF and other sources). I depend on the elasticity 
of the rope, but it's under "roughly" 200# of tension. To eliminate 
center sag from the coax and choke weight. At this tension there is only 
a slight visible sag, sighting along the length of the antenna from the 
lower end.  With SW antenna the rope runs through a half inch hose 
around the back side of the tree.  The hose is to protect the tree,  The 
NE antenna ties off to a forged lag bolt with an eye, in a very large 
tree.  At this size there is little danger of the mature tree growing 
around the lag bolt.  A younger tree might require moving the bolt every 
few years.

I use as much tension as desired within the strength capabilities of the 
antenna and supports.
As a personal preference I'd use at least 100#, with the tower back 
guyed ( if necessary)  With my 45G, the antennas serve as tension 
against each other.  OTOH.  My 100' tower's guying is strong enough that 
back guying would not be needed even at 200# tension in just one direction.

73

Roger (K8RI)

On 8/11/2016 Thursday 12:20 PM, David Robbins wrote:
> Enough weight to keep it reasonably tight.  Normally only one end needs to
> be able to move, I would do that on the tree end instead of the tower.
> typical weights I have seen are buckets filled with concrete or rocks or
> sand, 20-30 pounds at most... if it is very long then maybe more weight.
>
> David Robbins K1TTT
> e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
> web: http://wiki.k1ttt.net
> AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://k1ttt.net:7373
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Chuck
> Gooden
> Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2016 16:14
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Weight on ends of a OCF diploe
>
>
>
> Retired recently and am getting back into ham radion.
>
> I am planning on putting up a 80 to 10 meter OCF antenna.  The antenna will
> be supported on a TV tower with the ends attached to some pine trees.  I am
> planning on using a pulley and some weight on the ends to allow for wind
> effects on the pine trees.
>
> My question is how much weight will I need at the ends to allow for wind
> movement of the trees?
>
> Thanks,
>
>
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-- 

73

Roger (K8RI)


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