[Lowfer] TX Loop insulation

[Bill Ashlock]

All,
 
I'm back in Andover listening to /5, 100 miles to the north. The signal is on average very strong but has a considerable amount af QSB .... as had been reported..  
 
This afternoon, while searching for a section of garden hose to cover the lower horizontal section of the /5 loop, (for safety reasons) I found a piece of bright red 3/4" PEX tubing. This was perfect for the job because it has better insulating properties, is much lighter, offers less friction when sliding the copper tubing inside, and has the appropriate color to warn people from coming near. BTW, PEX is a type of cross-linked polyethylene tubing that has special properties for plumbing and heating applications. 
 
Then it hit me that I could insulate all 200ft of the loop with a continuous length of PEX tubing and eliminate all arcing possibilies where the loop contacts the supporting trees. The streng would also be inproved. It may even be possible to use 1/2" PEX over the 3/8" Cu tubing. 
 
I'll keep you posted on the results.
 
Bill/5