[Boatanchors] Kinda off topic

[Jim Wilhite]

John I use 5 section telescoping poles tied to trees to support my 
dipole.  I have the ends of the dipole tied to insulators with rope 
which goes through a small pulley at the top of the pole then to the 
ground.  I tie a rock (large and small one are plentiful here) which 
probably weight near 4 lbs or so.

Use just enough weight to keep the wire relatively taught, that is all 
you need.  In my youth windows used iron weights as a counterbalance to 
help with raising the window.  You could buy the weights at hardware 
stores and they were heavy enough to hold an antenna up, or use a gallon 
bucket and add rocks or whatever until it keeps your antenna up.

Jim/W5JO


----- Original Message ----- 



> The following query is regarding antenna erection for use with boat 
> anchors so maybe it isn't too off topic.
>
> I lost all my antennas in the last several Hurricanes as well as part 
> of my residence and roof. Of course,  the house came first and now I 
> am in the process of trying to erect some antennas.
>
> My question has to do with weights for antennas having support ropes 
> going through pulleys that allow the trees to move about without 
> stressing the wire antennas strung between them. I have the full wave 
> loop strung between two large Oak trees. It is a vertical loop so 
> don't be concerned with four ropes since the top strand of wire is the 
> main support for the loop. The wire is #12 enameled copper so it is 
> NOT steel but will handle the stress .
>
> The pulleys are tied to Dacron ropes that hoist them into the air by 
> pulling them up over a limb. The the antenna is attached to the pulley 
> via Dacron rope from the insulator and over to the pulley and through 
> the pulley and on down to the ground. In order for the rope to move up 
> and down through the pulleys, the down rope from the pulley will NOT 
> be tied off in a fixed arrangement, but will have weights on their 
> ends suspended above the ground to allow the weights to move up and 
> down providing slack for the antenna as the tree sways and yet offer 
> the antenna protection from breakage by the swaying of the trees.
>
> NOW after that discourse, comes the question: Has anyone had 
> experience with this system and what was your conclusion regarding the 
> amount of weight that should be used to allow up and down movement of 
> the rope through the pulley and at the same time offer protection to 
> the antenna while keeping it sufficiently taunt for horizontal 
> operation.
>
> The benefit of your knowledge and experience will be greatly 
> appreciated.  73, John, K5PGW
>
>
>
>
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