| Author |
Message |
    
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 540
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 08, 2005 - 7:44 pm: | 
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Whats the best kind of rope to place inside
antenna elements for wind vibrations and
would last the longest???
Going inside Maco 104 elements..
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2572
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 08, 2005 - 8:13 pm: |
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As long as you keep sun off it nylon is good stuff |
Bulldog369
Intermediate Member
Username: Bulldog369
Post Number: 262
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 09, 2005 - 6:08 am: |
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fire proof rope will not wear in the sun will not swell.. little extra money but it is good stuff... could also rty putting wooden dowels inside the radials to make the stiffer |
Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 439
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 09, 2005 - 8:35 am: |
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Don't forget that all this significantly increases weight, especially when it gets wet. |
Patzerozero
Advanced Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 757
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 09, 2005 - 2:40 pm: |
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like bruce said, i used nylon rope & epoxied it in at each end. with caps securely taped at each end, it never got wet & added weight was minimal. the worst part of it was fishing the rope through the tubes. the rope isn't to make it stiffer, but to keep the radials from 'singing' in the wind. did it to my maco v5/8 too. |
Tech291
Moderator
Username: Tech291
Post Number: 171
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 09, 2005 - 2:55 pm: |
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for this use,sunlight and uv are really not an issue.any lightweight synthetic material will work good.check walmart or similar store in the sporting goods or boating accessories for nylon or polypropelene in a 1/4 inch size.it dont need to fit snug inside the elements.stay away from the cotton or natural content ropes(insects and rot).if your erecting the beam vertical,only use the silicone caulk(to anchor the rope)inside the top end of the elements leaving the bottom open so that any moisture that condenses inside can drain out.if putting the beam horizontal,just use enough caulk on both ends to anchor the rope and NOT seal the ends.
tech291
CEF#291
kc8zpj |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 541
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 8:17 am: |
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Thanks everyone for your answers...
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375 |
Slim1
Member
Username: Slim1
Post Number: 99
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 6:41 pm: |
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I used expanding foam in the elements of my
MR-4's and it's worked just great. A local told me about the idea and it's been 10 yrs for mine and about 25 yrs for his!Both are still in fine shape.No fluctuating SWR or anything;ice,rain,it has no affect whatsoever.
Another thought on the wood dowel idea. The wood
dowels can become wet and swell from condensation
and therefore cause damage to the elements.
Splitting them and sometimes I've seen them force
the elements out and fall off.Just my 2-cents
Slim |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2593
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 7:53 pm: |
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I LIKE THAT IDEA ! bring on the foam ! |
Tech291
Moderator
Username: Tech291
Post Number: 177
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 9:20 pm: |
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recall reading a post of Tech833 where he had used the foam in i think a ringo.He said it added a lot of rigidity but made it impossible to later disassemble.i believe the burst strengh of the tubing is plenty strong enough to withstand even the maximum expansion foam.
tech291
CEF#291
kc8zpj |
