Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2018 13:30:56 -0400
From: wa3tts@verizon.net
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
Message-Id: <165b516335a-1ebf-5174@webjas-vad091.srv.aolmail.net>
In-Reply-To: <2182f5f0-9274-757d-e1f8-6442f85421c5@verizon.net>
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Subject: Re: LF: Porcelain insulators on rope guys for a vertical antenna
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Stan: For what it is worth, I found a piece of 3/16" nylon covered polyeste=
r line removed from my HF vertical after 15 years of outdoor exposure. The =
line was dry and some dried mold present on the nylon jacket.

My electronic=C2=A0 megger indicated over 20 Giga-ohms at 2500VDC test volt=
age, even at 1 inch separation along the line. Then I wetted the line with =
tap water. Resistance fell to 1/2 megaohm at 500VDC test voltage over a 6 i=
nch span of the line.

Perhaps if you live in the Arizona desert with low humidity most of the yea=
r, it may not matter much. Would you rather radiate energy, or use it to dr=
y out your guy lines?=C2=A0 For the few extra $, I would stick with the guy=
 line insulators.

73, Mike wa3tts


-----Original Message-----
From: Stan, W1LE <stanw1le@verizon.net>
To: rsgb_lf_group <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Sent: Fri, Sep 7, 2018 12:40 pm
Subject: LF: Porcelain insulators on rope guys for a vertical antenna

Hello The Net:

For my vertical antenna guyed in three direction at 4 levels, I am=20
planning to use 3/16", polyester, braided, of double braid construction.=20
Original guys were of the military surplus type, part of a GRA-4 antenna=20
system and part number MX-383A/GRA-4, that uses, 1 each, insulator in line.

For replacement guys, can I remove the insulator and only use the=20
braided line ?

With wet guys (after rainstorm) I measure the (~ DC) resistance from the=20
vertical to ground as greater than 6 megohms, my meters capability.

What are your thoughts ?

I can add the insulators, but I would also need to add crimped=20
connectors or other rope clamps, that would reduce the ultimate=20
reliability of the guy.

The vertical is constructed of MS-44 aluminum masting sections stacked=20
up to 50', (maybe 55 or 60'+ later). Final plan is to add a capacitive=20
top hat with 8 each, 20' radials and a center loading coil for use on=20
2200M and 630M. Probably a additional switchable base loading coil for=20
2200M tuning (TBD).

Stan, W1LE=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 Cape Cod=C2=A0=C2=A0 FN41sr


ZZZZz


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<div style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:b=
lack;"><div style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;=
color:black;">Stan: For what it is worth, I found a piece of 3/16" nylon co=
vered polyester line removed from my HF vertical after 15 years of outdoor =
exposure. The line was dry and some dried mold present on the nylon jacket.=
</div><div style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;c=
olor:black;"><br></div><div style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;font-size:10pt;color:black;">My electronic&nbsp; megger indicated over 20 =
Giga-ohms at 2500VDC test voltage, even at 1 inch separation along the line=
. Then I wetted the line with tap water. Resistance fell to 1/2 megaohm at =
500VDC test voltage over a 6 inch span of the line.</div><div style=3D"font=
-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;color:black;"><br></div><=
div style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;color:bl=
ack;">Perhaps if you live in the Arizona desert with low humidity most of t=
he year, it may not matter much. Would you rather radiate energy, or use it=
 to dry out your guy lines?&nbsp; For the few extra $, I would stick with t=
he guy line insulators.</div><div style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans=
-serif;font-size:10pt;color:black;"><br></div><div style=3D"font-family:ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;color:black;">73, Mike wa3tts<br><br=
><br>-----Original Message-----<br>From: Stan, W1LE &lt;stanw1le@verizon.ne=
t&gt;<br>To: rsgb_lf_group &lt;rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org&gt;<br>Sent: Fr=
i, Sep 7, 2018 12:40 pm<br>Subject: LF: Porcelain insulators on rope guys f=
or a vertical antenna<br><br></div>Hello The Net:<br><br>For my vertical an=
tenna guyed in three direction at 4 levels, I am <br>planning to use 3/16",=
 polyester, braided, of double braid construction. <br>Original guys were o=
f the military surplus type, part of a GRA-4 antenna <br>system and part nu=
mber MX-383A/GRA-4, that uses, 1 each, insulator in line.<br><br>For replac=
ement guys, can I remove the insulator and only use the <br>braided line ?<=
br><br>With wet guys (after rainstorm) I measure the (~ DC) resistance from=
 the <br>vertical to ground as greater than 6 megohms, my meters capability=
.<br><br>What are your thoughts ?<br><br>I can add the insulators, but I wo=
uld also need to add crimped <br>connectors or other rope clamps, that woul=
d reduce the ultimate <br>reliability of the guy.<br><br>The vertical is co=
nstructed of MS-44 aluminum masting sections stacked <br>up to 50', (maybe =
55 or 60'+ later). Final plan is to add a capacitive <br>top hat with 8 eac=
h, 20' radials and a center loading coil for use on <br>2200M and 630M. Pro=
bably a additional switchable base loading coil for <br>2200M tuning (TBD).=
<br><br>Stan, W1LE&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cape Cod&nbsp;&nbsp; FN41sr<br><br><br=
><br><br><br>ZZZZz<br><br><br><br><br><br><br></div>
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