[Elecraft] wire antenna weights

[Wayne Burdick]

Alfred Lorona wrote:

> If you must sling a weighted wire into a tree, use a fishing weight. They are rounded and have a small metal loop onto which you can attach the wire. The rounded shape prevents snags in branches and the weight is sufficient to pull light wire down to the ground. They are obtainable in different weights and available at any fishing tackle store or counter.


When we developed the KX1, we field-tested various types of weighs. Fishing
weights work very well, but nearly all of the local tackle shops stocked only
lead, which is toxic to fish and wildlife (not to mention humans). Fishing
weight manufacturers have seen a strong demand for non-toxic weights in recent
years, and there are now several companies offering identically sized and shaped
weights made of stainless steel (see, for example, www.bullettweights.com).

There are other possibilities. What we recommend in the KXAT1 manual is 5/8"
(thread size) stainless steel machine nuts. These weight almost exactly one
ounce, have a large, easy-to-thread hole in the middle (which can be handy if
you're wearing gloves), and are rounded so they don't snag easily. They're also
widely available and cheap--about 22 cents at our local Home Depot. I carry two
of them in my 24-ounce KX1 day-hike station. That 24-ounce figure includes the
rig, weights, wire, and even the fannypack.

73,
Wayne
N6KR