[TowerTalk] Fire hazard with inverted L ??

[Grant Saviers]

PE insulated wire is a good choice to lower the chance of an arc and 
will also not generate noise with intermittent foliage contact. With the 
insulation, the wire will also last a lot longer.  I use the DavisRF 
13ga copperweld for my 160m T and it has worked out very well.  
http://www.davisrf.com/antenna-wire/polystealth.php

For radials, since the power is divided among them, arcing is less of a 
concern and my 8 elevated radials are bare 12.5ga aluminum electric 
fencing wire, cheap, durable and strong. 
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Field-Guardian-1-4-Mile-12-1-2-Gauge-Aluminum-Wire-AF1225/204620677 
Not for burial unless your ground chemistry is benign to aluminum.

However,  I keep the foliage trimmed around my radials.  A cheap useful 
tool for trimming - 
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-8-in-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Pole-Saw-Battery-and-Charger-Not-Included-P4360A/203680987 
especially since I already have a number of the other Ryobi tools and 
batteries.

The copperweld and aluminum wires have had numerous wind, 1" ice once,  
and falling branch encounters and nothing has broken or significantly 
stretched in 4 years (fingers crossed).

When we used a single radial CrankIR on 160m on a DXpedition the 
elevated radial arcing was amazing at QRO.  Burned through screw in tree 
insulators and the end braided polystyrene fishing line "insulator", 
that probably because of minor salt accumulation.  That configuration 
could easily start a wildfire in dry conditions.

Grant KZ1W

On 9/4/2017 8:34 AM, Jeff Draughn wrote:
>   I am considering putting up an inverted L for 80 or 160 possibly both .
> My concern is the antenna will invariably touch some limbs or limbs will
> touch the antenna with the wind and rain storms, ice etc. how much of a
> fire hazard is there with this at the 1500 watt power level?
>
>   Also have the same concern at the feed point any information or experience
> with this would be appreciated.
>
> 73, Jeff
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