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

[Grant Saviers]

I think you are confusing polypropylene with nylon.  In 25 years of 
sailing, my nylon dock lines, 24 x 7 in the sun (FL included) were 
tossed for grunge (oil, salt, growth, dirt) rather than sun damage. 
Bare polypro OTOH, is trash in a few months.

I did find that putting lines to 1/2" into the washing machine 
(horizontal basket not agitator!) in a mesh dive bag would clean them 
nicely. Or larger like 1" just tossed in. Ends need solidly whipped.  To 
be really "good" one can then dip then into rope lube (diluted Downy 
works) to restore the fiber lubrication.  This cleaning also works for 
woven dacron antenna hoist lines with a lot of moss growth here in WWA.

For domestic tranquility, better run a cleaning cycle or two on the 
washing machine before the next clothing load.

Grant KZ1W

more than you want to know
https://blog.rocorescue.com/roco-rescue-blog/cleaning-your-rope-here-s-what-the-experts-have-to-say

On 6/26/2020 21:08, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
> Another problem with nylon rope is that when exposed to sunlight,
> it turns to powder within a few months, as if being biodegradable
> were a feature.
> 
> Rick N6RK
> 
> On 6/26/2020 8:34 PM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
>> I always use an insulator in my dipoles. One might say what is the 
>> harm of
>> using an inexpensive insulator however it appears that you are trying 
>> to be
>> as stealth as possible so I am guessing that you just do not want to see
>> one. I am not sure what voltage is on the dipole ends, maybe 750 
>> peak?  The
>> trouble with nylon rope is that it holds moisture and minerals which are
>> conductive.  Perhaps there is a heavy duty fishing line or maybe even
>> weedwacker string that could be used as an insulated support line.
>>
>> John KK9A
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