Hello:

Will beputting up a simple horizontal radio antenna for receiving only.

Have to connect the end of the antenna wire to a tree, perhaps 15 feet or so
away.

It's going to be a real pain to string it, and would really like whatever I
use to tie the end of the wire to the
insulator I'll have on the tree to last a Very long time.

How is polypropolyne rope for very long term outdoor usage ?
Thinking of brittleness problems due to ozone, heat in the summer, zero
temp's in the winter, etc. ?

Anything better; perhaps items like Dacron rope ?

Or,... ?

Thanks,
Bob

The best ropes are used for mountain climbing, but over a long period of
time even they will break down. You'd be better off using stranded aluminum
cable. The kind they sell in hardware stores.

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Will beputting up a simple horizontal radio antenna for receiving only.

Have to connect the end of the antenna wire to a tree, perhaps 15 feet or
so
away.

It's going to be a real pain to string it, and would really like whatever
I
use to tie the end of the wire to the
insulator I'll have on the tree to last a Very long time.

How is polypropolyne rope for very long term outdoor usage ?
Thinking of brittleness problems due to ozone, heat in the summer, zero
temp's in the winter, etc. ?

Anything better; perhaps items like Dacron rope ?

Or,... ?

Thanks,
Bob

Use "aircraft" cable. It's stainless steel and very reliable. Home
Depot sells it by the foot. Cut it with a cold chisel and small sledge
hammer on a rock or bench vice.

Do not use polypropylene rope for anything. There are pix on the web of
a tug-of-war using poly rope -- the rope didn't just break, it exploded.
A couple of guys were killed.


Bob wrote:
The best ropes are used for mountain climbing, but over a long period of
time even they will break down. You'd be better off using stranded aluminum
cable. The kind they sell in hardware stores.

"Robert11" wrote in message
...

Hello:

Will beputting up a simple horizontal radio antenna for receiving only.

Have to connect the end of the antenna wire to a tree, perhaps 15 feet or

so

away.

It's going to be a real pain to string it, and would really like whatever

I

use to tie the end of the wire to the
insulator I'll have on the tree to last a Very long time.

How is polypropolyne rope for very long term outdoor usage ?
Thinking of brittleness problems due to ozone, heat in the summer, zero
temp's in the winter, etc. ?

Anything better; perhaps items like Dacron rope ?

Or,... ?

Thanks,
Bob

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Will beputting up a simple horizontal radio antenna for receiving only.

Have to connect the end of the antenna wire to a tree, perhaps 15 feet or
so away.

It's going to be a real pain to string it, and would really like whatever
I use to tie the end of the wire to the
insulator I'll have on the tree to last a Very long time.

How is polypropolyne rope for very long term outdoor usage ?
Thinking of brittleness problems due to ozone, heat in the summer, zero
temp's in the winter, etc. ?

Both poly and dacron are good for outdoor use. Poly is really only used
where it's ability to float is an asset. Dacron is the better choice.

Climbing rope (as someone suggested) is a very poor choice. It is very
expensive, is designed to stretch (to absorb fall impact) and degrades in
light.

I've had some experience with CB antennas and my father-in-law is a ham
radio operator, here's my two cents.

I took a look on the web and found a site that details how to construct
a long wire antenna.

http://www.athensarc.org/UnderstandingAntennas.htm

I hope it helps.

Handi

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Will beputting up a simple horizontal radio antenna for receiving only.

Have to connect the end of the antenna wire to a tree, perhaps 15 feet or
so
away.

It's going to be a real pain to string it, and would really like whatever
I
use to tie the end of the wire to the
insulator I'll have on the tree to last a Very long time.

How is polypropolyne rope for very long term outdoor usage ?
Thinking of brittleness problems due to ozone, heat in the summer, zero
temp's in the winter, etc. ?

Anything better; perhaps items like Dacron rope ?


Some UV resistant Dacron should be longer lasting. Check this out.

http://thewireman.com/antacc.html#3

On 14-Jan-2006, "Bob" wrote:

The best ropes are used for mountain climbing,

Climbing rope is nylon typically and nylon has poorer UV resistance
than polyester.

Polyester (one brand name is Dacron) would be a better choice. However,
I'd use stainless steel cable as others have suggested.

Mike

Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Will beputting up a simple horizontal radio antenna for receiving only.

Have to connect the end of the antenna wire to a tree, perhaps 15 feet or so
away.

It's going to be a real pain to string it, and would really like whatever I
use to tie the end of the wire to the
insulator I'll have on the tree to last a Very long time.

How is polypropolyne rope for very long term outdoor usage ?
Thinking of brittleness problems due to ozone, heat in the summer, zero
temp's in the winter, etc. ?

Anything better; perhaps items like Dacron rope ?

Or,... ?

Thanks,
Bob


Use steel cable. Easiest cheapest solution is to
buy clothes line cable, which is steel cable
sheathed with a plastic. The plastic will
eventually crack and fall to pieces but in the
mean time it protects the steel.