[TowerTalk] Weight on ends of a OCF diploe

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

I've noted no deterioration in the Dacron braided rope. after 8 or 9 
years http://www.davisrf.com/dacron.php
I use the 3/16ths inch as well as the 5/16ths.  The 3/16ths I use is a 
black, single braid, while the 5/16ths is a double braid. They are 
relatively inexpensive and have little stretch, but as I said in another 
post, they handle the high tension of roughly 200# with ease as the 3/16 
ths has a 770# plus strength.  5/16ths is over 1700# strength, but a bit 
more expensive.

I've had several 500 and one 1000' rolls for some years, so I have no 
hesitation at using the stuff.

So far, I've had no problems with RG8X LL at the legal limit except on 
160 and 75. Davis BuryFlex(TM) has done well so far, but I prefer the 
lower cross section and lighter weight when it's suspended from the 
unsupported center of an antenna.

As for a dynamic weight tensioning I prefer as much weight (or tension) 
that I can use safely. With enough weight the antenna and weight will 
not get into an oscillation.  There should be enough weight that the 
antenna can not lift the weight in such a manner as to release the tension.
If enough weight is too much for the antenna, I'd go to a larger wire size.

Unfortunately, all the CopperWeld antenna wire I've had, lost its copper 
coating and turned to rust in just a few years, so I've had to resort to 
stranded, hard drawn Copper antenna wire of #10, or 12 size.  The 
deterioration is probably the same thing that ruins Nylok nuts.  The 
Nylon just seems to dissolve.

73

Roger (K8RI)


On 8/11/2016 Thursday 10:08 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
> Bungie cord is self damping.
> Put it in a PVC pipe so the
> sun doesn't damage it.
>
> Rick N6RK
>
> On 8/11/2016 7:06 PM, Mike Fahmie via TowerTalk wrote:
>> One can use a combination of the two to damp the response!
>> -Mike-
>>
>>
>>       From: Gary <gary_mayfield at hotmail.com>
>>  To: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>>  Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2016 6:25 PM
>>  Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Weight on ends of a OCF diploe
>>
>> I saw an amazing thing once.  The South Dakota breeze caused my 
>> weight to head upward with some momentum.  The antenna then went 
>> slack while the weight was still moving upward. The wind caught the 
>> antenna tightening it while the weight was headed back down literally 
>> causing a snapping sound when the weight bounced. I'm sure it applied 
>> a great deal more instantaneous force than the weight alone. The next 
>> morning the weight and antenna were on the ground.
>>
>>
>> I replaced the weight with rubber 'bungee'  tensioners, and it never 
>> failed again.  The sun eats up the tensioners so the need to be 
>> replaced occasionally.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Joe kk0sd


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