[TowerTalk] Weight on ends of a OCF diploe

[Howard Hoyt]

Hi all,

I have a 265' 160M OCF strung between two 90+ ft. trees which are ~400ft 
apart, so it required a LOT of tension to keep relatively horizontal.  I 
tensioned it by hanging on the line end before tying off (and I weigh 
200lbs) so I estimate the residual tension at 100-150+ pounds.  I have 
each end of the 1/8" Kevlar guy ropes connected to pulleys on a vertical 
tram system so the antenna can be taken down without having to shoot 
lines over the trees a second time.  Even though there is 100lbs.+ of 
tension in the antenna, the 1/2" vertical Dacron tram lines effectively 
act as a tensioning/shock absorber element and the antenna has been up 
for 5+ years in NC wx with no problem.  For instance we just had a 
Derecho come through with 60MPH+ winds which took down a 80' white oak 
tree near the antenna :'(, and during the wind I saw the OCF feedpoint 
rocket up and down as much as 30', but it is still up at the correct height!

There is another wire antenna tensioning device I found, but I hadn't 
seen anyone post about it:

http://antennatensioner.com/drupal/ <http://antennatensioner.com/drupal/>

I would like to hear from people who have used it.

Cheers & 73,
Howie - WA4PSC