[Lowfer] Time to build a new antenna - Insulator question

[craig wasson]

I would suggest fiberglass.  Wood would probably be too brittle and weaken 
over time.  Some sort of solid fiberglass rod - but don't ask me where to 
find it.  I'd start at a marine supply place.

If you could find some sort of fiberglass mast material maybe the entire top 
10 feet could be that fiberglass mast so you would not have a sandwich 
between metal and fiberglass.  The top part could flex in the wind and maybe 
be less likely to break.

Craig - N6IO


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy - KU4XR" <ku4xr at yahoo.com>
To: <lowfer at mailman.qth.net>; "Part-15 Yahoo" <part15 at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 10:19 AM
Subject: [Lowfer] Time to build a new antenna - Insulator question


Hi All:

The PVC pipe supporting the wire antenna here for " XR " has done
its job, allowing for easy up, and down, experimentation. However
it is becoming brittle due to the UV exposure, and will be on the
ground not long from now, so it's time to put up something that
will last for more than a couple of years.

My antenna idea will be to use 10 foot sections of Aluminum chain
link fence pipe. The 1 inch pieces that run along the top of the
fence. They are light guage, but I'm only going up 30 feet, so not
really a problem with wind hopefully. Also, the pipe is very
economical so the antenna won't break the bank.

My Question ::: I want to side mount an elevated loading coil at
the 20 foot above ground level, so I will need to Insulate the top
10 foot section of pipe from the bottom 20 feet. What material will
be good for that purpose ??? Would a wooden Dowel 1 inch in diameter
do the job and not break off from too much load ??? It will need to
be strong, because I will be connecting the tophat to it also, and
that will add to the strain on the insulator separating the pipes.

Thanks for any suggestions:  73 :::



Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. USA
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 185.29875 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates:  N:  35º 43' 54" - W:  84º 3' 16"
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
http://webpages.charter.net/ku4xr/
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