[Boatanchors] Porcelain spreaders

[K0DAN]

Don't get me wrong, I love old porcelain insulators of any type. But seems 
like a lot of work to clean them and a lot of weight weight to support.

I have a rather long run of nominal 600 ohm linje (about 5" spacing which 
separates a pair of #14 wires) and the insulators/spacers are pieces of ABS 
plastic irrigation tubing, readily available (cheaply) at  farm supply 
stores, etc. Cutting or melting a slot in the ends holds the wire (you can 
optionally secure the wire with a hot glue gun if needed), and the tubing is 
also easily drilled in case you need to attach messenger lines to support or 
route the the balanced line thru trees, around obstacles, etc. (I use 
fishing line and parachute line to support the run).

Just my method, thought I'd throw in my $0.02 worth.

Good luck and 73

Dan
K0DAN


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "david knepper" <collinsradio at adelphia.net>
To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 7:49 AM
Subject: [Boatanchors] Porcelain spreaders


>I am going to build an open wire feeder systems using 6 inche procelain 
>spreaders that were made by E.F. Johnson.  However, the ones that I have 
>are "coated" or embedded with soot particles after being part of an older 
>feeder system.  I suspect that the feedline was near a chimney.    They are 
>not bright and white like some others that I have.  I dunked the spreaders 
>in a solution of Clorox and Tide overnight and with some scrubbing with a 
>toothbrush, the results were less than satisfactory.
>
> Should I have used my wife's dishwasher? or ???
>
> I am sure that their insulating characteristics are fine but still would 
> like to try another cleaning approach before I build the feeder system.
>
> Thanks
>
> Dave, W3ST
> Publisher of the Collins Journal
> Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
> www.collinsra.com - the CRA Website
> Now with PayPal
> CRA Nets: 3.805 Mhz every Monday at 8 PM EST
> and 14.253 Mhz every Saturday at 12 Noon EST
> Collins Chatroom - Daily at 4 PM EST on 14.285  Mhz
> _______________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **   ** For Assistance: 
> dfischer at usol.com **         $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web 
> site $$      http://www.w9wze.org
>