[Elecraft] Re: Antenna wire question for long spans

[zl1aih at ihug.co.nz]

I'm sure Ron AC7AC will remember the 'safety link' - (maybe it had a 
different name in the US Merchant Marine) but long wire antennas on 
Commonwealth ships had a section at one end made of a short length 
of the same wire as the antenna, but with two of the seven strands 
removed.   This link had a slightly longer length of antenna wire 
shackled across in a shallow "U", which in the event of a sudden 
shock load the link would break but the antenna remained intact.
The spans were 500' or more, and were kept taut in order to support 
the vertical "lead-in".   In heavy weather (head sea), the vessel could 
shudder - almost ring, like a very large bell, and the masts would 
shake violently.   Losing the main antenna in severe weather was no 
trivial matter, especially if it dropped around the radar scanner.

Slightly off-topic, but relevant if you are using tree supports - 
counterweights are the "belt", and safety links are the "braces" 
(galouses -spelling? in the US). <G>
73,
Ken ZL1AIH (showing his age)