[Elecraft] Ice on dipole under snow under ice

[Lyn Norstad]

David -

Living in Chicagoland, I face similar issues now and then.  In fact, just a couple weeks ago we had a very heavy frost.  My 360 foot EDZ (dipole) which is normally nearly invisible, suddenly looked like a 2" white PVC pipe.  It sagged, but not much.  A couple hours' worth of sunlight and a few pops of wind, and it was all good.  

Your situation is a bit different, but I've never found that transmitting did much to ice.  Or to the little birdies who like to sit on the wire (mostly hummingbirds).  That being said, unless you have a steel roof, I don't think it would hurt to try.  Ease up on the power just in case.  But first try receiving.  I doubt there will be much degradation from the ice.

73
Lyn, W0LEN

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Haines
Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2020 12:39 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Ice on dipole under snow under ice

Before I try something crazy, like climbing up on the roof ... .

We had an ice storm.  The ice pulled my wire dipole down to the roof, 
but didn't break it because one mask was Schedule 30, which leaned over 
nicely.  It then snowed on top of the ice.

I've been able to free the feedline (ladderline) and most of the dipole, 
but part of the dipole is till under the snow under a layer of ice way 
up on the roof.

I'm thinking of running 100W from my KXPA100 to melt it out of there,   
but before I try:

1.  Is there any chance of this working?
2.  Should I just transmit a TUNE through it?
3.  Can I damage the KXPA100 or tuner?

Right now the coax is not connected to the KX3 and I haven't tried to 
receive.

david
KC1DNY
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