[Elecraft] K3 KAT3 Antenna Tuner Tutorial

[d.cutter at ntlworld.com]

I've heard that some folks rub silicone furniture polish on the ladder line to keep moisture from settling, then dust, mud, etc doesn't stick.

David
G3UNA

---- Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy <gm4esd at btinternet.com> wrote: 
> Dale, I suspect that in Windy's case moisture could be entering via tiny 
> holes drilled in the dielectric by windblown sand or dust. Unfortunately I 
> cannot offer any practical solution to prevent this happening, because I do 
> not use window line.
> 
> 4 wire open wire feeder behaves like a lovesick octopus unless kept under 
> tension.  A very useful type of low cost feeder for long low loss horizontal 
> runs at HF and VHF though.
> 
> 73,
> Geoff
> GM4ESD
> 
> 
> Dale Putnam wrote on Thursday, October 22, 2009 1:01 PM
> 
> Geoff has touched on what may be happening. I've seen this on my systems 
> here too... and the issue comes down to the material, in this case mud or 
> water and dust... collecting on the feeder, then as the moisture drys away, 
> the change in transmission line characteristics also change. There are a 
> whole page of math equations and figures that prove this, but suffice it to 
> say for now, that open wire, doesn't have this issue... it has others... 
> more physical, like how to keep it spaced and installed correctly.
>   Retuning isn't a real problem, it is pretty much just adjusting for what 
> the moisture is changing. However... be watchful for the moisture changes to 
> not go away completely.... then go look for where the moisture isn't leaving 
> and find an opening in the insulation, and repair it, before the feedline 
> becomes damaged too much by the moisture invasion.
>  Still beats coax for losses.
> 
> --... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy
> 
>