[Elecraft] Ladder Line spacers

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I've seen those. Good idea! 

With so many plastics on the market today, I always check a sample before
subjecting it to RF. On the sort of open wire lines almost everyone uses
today, operating at moderate SWR levels, not only are there big RF currents
flowing at the current loops there are big RF voltages 1/4 wavelength away!
An marginal RF insulator at one of these points would dramatically increase
losses. 

I lean on the "microwave test": put a sample with a glass of water in the
microwave for a minute or two. If it gets warm (or melts!) it's not a good
material to use around RF. 

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
I've made some ladder line using plastic parts of electrical staples.

 Homely Depot, Lowes, etc sell staples for large electrical cable that
consist of a plastic bridge with a nail inserted thru a hole at each end.
They come in various sizes (e.g., for 3/4 inch, 1 inch, two inch service
entrance wire). If you pull out the nails you can insert your wires thru the
holes and secure them with a dab of hot-melt glue. Plus you'll have a bunch
of nails left over.

Ray K2HYD