[Elecraft] RF in the Trees [OT]

[Fred Townsend]

Hi Doug:
I use a similar technique in suspending my antennas. I thought I would add some do's and don'ts. Like don't forget copper will stretch. I use 1 gallon paint buckets full of dirt for about 10# of weight on the pulleys. I suspend the rope in a tree yoke or a limb close to the trunk to minimize sway. Be sure there is pleanty of travel for wind storms. 

The ends of the antenna are 'hotter' than the feed point so I like to clear the end of the antenna and the tree with at least 8' of rope. If I have a middle support I use a yard arm of at least 4'. If you are using an antenna like a G5RV, Windom, or zepp that uses a portion of the feed line as a match, don't forget that portion will be radiating too so keep it vertical and away from the tree. 

I have found pine and eucalyptus trees to be the worst for parasitic absorption but I think that is largely a function of the volume of sap and water so the wetter the more loss and the further away you want to keep the antenna.


73,
Fred, AE6QL 
,
-----Original Message-----
>From: Doug Person via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Jun 25, 2014 8:03 PM
>To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RF in the Trees [OT]
>
>The best trick I've found in dealing with moving trees is running the 
>line through a pulley down to a weight that is heavy enough to keep the 
>things reasonably taught.  The trees can move all the want and the line 
>just rides on the pulleys.
>
>Doug -- K0DXV
>
>