Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

I'm looking for a source for durable ladder line for making two-wire reversible Beverages for use at the KC1XX contest station. In the past we've used the line sold by DX Engineering but over the years we've found that the plastic spacers between the wires become brittle and break off. It may be

Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

I make my own ladder line: http://www.dtsohio.com/73cnc/laddersnap.html Marty N9SE _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

Other than measuring some of the stuff years ago I have no real experience with it, but you might look here: https://thewireman.com/product-category/feed-lines/ladder-line/ Wes  N7WS On 1/12/2020 8:26 AM, John Kaufmann via Topband wrote: I'm looking for a source for durable ladder line for ma

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

I don't think you are going to find any, John. I had to make my own. Is that something you are willing to do? There are several options for that; most using wider spacing which requires custom matching transformers at each end. 73, Mike W0BTU On Sun, Jan 12, 2020, 9:27 AM John Kaufmann via Topban

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

For more then 10 years I use 170 meter long runs of 300 Ohm from www.dx-wire.de. Very small size and very strong. Pe5t Verzonden vanuit Mail voor Windows 10 Van: John Kaufmann via Topband Verzonden: zondag 12 januari 2020 16:27 Aan: 'topband' Onderwerp: Topband: Source for dura

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

John, I had exactly the same experience as you with the DXE 450 ohm ladderline. After two frustrating years of repairs, I finally switched it for WD-1/TT mil surplus field telephone wire. I now have four lengths of 720 ft each for my beverage antennas, which have been in the field for four years, w

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

The late Milt Jensen, N5IA successfully used that wire. It takes custom matching transformers (which I made for him*), but he told me that those Beverages worked just as well as his other, wide-spaced Beverages. AFAIK, his club still has those Beverages up. *I no longer sell them. 73, Mike W0BTU

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

Interesting. The parallel lengths of wd1a on my beverages are spaced about four inches apart. I use the same DXE matching xformers I used with my DXE ladderline. 73, Jim w8zr Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 12, 2020, at 2:27 PM, Mike Waters wrote: > > The late Milt Jensen, N5IA successfully used t

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

ot;TopBand List" Subject: Topband: Source for durable ladder line? I make my own ladder line: http://www.dtsohio.com/73cnc/laddersnap.html <http://www.dtsohio.com/73cnc/laddersnap.html> Marty N9SE _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

Probably the most durable two conductor is Military WD-1A telephone cable. available on eBay for $50 for about a half-mile. Special lower impedance transformers are required to match the line's impedance. It is also a great source for very durable single wire Beverages with both ends connected to

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

*Don’t* use the two conductors of a single run of twisted pair WD-1A as the transmission line - you’ll get a *lot* of loss in the transmission line. Instead parallel the two wires and run two lengths WD-1A (as Jim Garland says). 2 inches / 50mm spacing between them will give a line impedance o

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

Exactly how much is "a *lot* of loss", Jeremy? Too many knowledgeable Topbanders have used it over the years --with great success-- for it to have enough loss to matter. Extra loss can even improve the F/B ratio! One famous Topbander (Earl Cunningham, K6SE; SK) replaced his galvanized steel electr

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

FWIW, other than my HI-Z Rx antennas and my 6M Yagi, all my antennas are WD-1A 73, Gary KA1J > Probably the most durable two conductor is Military WD-1A telephone > cable. available on eBay for $50 for about a half-mile. Special lower > impedance transformers are required to match the line's i

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

nnected at the end, and, of course, for its low price... vy 73 Uli, DJ2YA -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- From: Herbert Schoenbohm Sent: Monday, January 13, 2020 12:24 AM To: john.kaufm...@verizon.net Cc: topband Subject: Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line? Probably the most d

Re: Topband: Source for durable ladder line?

> On 13 Jan 2020, at 02:05, Mike Waters wrote: > > Exactly how much is "a *lot* of loss", Jeremy? Too many knowledgeable > Topbanders have used it over the years --with great success-- for it to > have enough loss to matter. There’s a good thread on this here: https://topband.contesting.narki