[Elecraft] Wire antenna ends and spools?

[Steve KC6ZKT]

I went with two non-resonant lengths (1). Depending on the band I'm 
working, one acts as the radiator, and the other as the counterpoise. I 
chose 23' and 39'.

I installed banana plugs on the radio end, and tied a bowline hitch (2) 
on the far ends. I also carry additional 1.5mm nylon braided cord and a 
couple of tiny plastic carabiners if I need to tie off the end of the 
antenna somewhere.

I'm happy with small kite winders (3). If you don't have a kite shop 
near you, you can get them from SotaBeams in the UK, and I think DX 
Engineering in the USA sells them as well.

1) Non-resonant antenna calculator: https://k7mem.com/Ant_End_Fed.html
2) Bowline hitch: https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/bowline
3) Kite winders: https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/midi-winders/


On 10/5/21 15:33, Julia Tuttle wrote:
> Hi folks,
> 
> I'm putting together the Elecraft Standard Wire Antenna(tm), two 25-foot
> pieces of 26-gauge wire with relatively slippery insulation.
> 
> I've got banana plugs on the near (radio) ends of the wires, and I've
> temporarily got the two lengths coiled and held with velcro cable ties, but
> I'm wondering if anyone has ideas on:
> 
> 1. What to put on the far (tree/wherever) ends so I can tie a rope to them
> without the slippery insulation just slipping out of the knot. My
> girlfriend suggests a ring terminal, which seems reasonable -- any other
> ideas?
> 2. How to coil them more securely. W3ATB suggests a chalk line reel (
> https://w3atb.com/wire-antenna-winder/) but I'm not a fan of the
> termination there.
> 
> Thanks and 73,
> 
> Julie