[TowerTalk] Do I need an insulator on the ends of my dipole?

[Paul Christensen]

The Nylon rope is an insulator until gets wet, collects, decays and collects
more stuff with UV exposure, etc.  Assuming your fan dipole is a half-wave
on all bands -- and it should be, keep in mind that RF voltage is maximum at
each end.

I would consider the common dark green Budwig insulators that have a decent
ribbed dirt path.  They're stealthy enough.

Paul, W9AC



-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Kevin
Zembower via TowerTalk
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2020 2:07 PM
To: TowerTalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Do I need an insulator on the ends of my dipole?

Hello,

I'm replacing my 40/20/10M fan dipole with an even more stealthy one, using
small gauge insulated stranded copper-clad steel. The suspension goes from a
post in my back yard, to a mast on the peak of my roof, to a tree in the
front of the yard. At both ends, there's at least 10 feet of nylon cord.

Currently, there's a ceramic insulator at each end of the dipole, between
the dipole wire and the nylon cord. Do I need any kind of insulator? Isn't
the nylon cord an insulator? I can work out the mechanical stress with
thimble eyes. Why do I need an insulator?

I only run 100W maximum with my system max.

Thanks for your advice and guidance.

-Kevin
KC3KZ
_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk