Created 2015-03-29
Modified 2019-09-21
- aerials
- Amateur Radio
I'm familiar with the concept that every aerial is a compromise, especially at HF. However, this "horizontal modification" isn't quite the compromise I had in mind! Today was very gusty, with the forecast showing 40kph winds, and I know I got this advise:
Just keep eye for heavier winds and drop down couple of section till wind drops - Ray on Twitter
It's hard to know what "heavier winds" are, and the whip has stood up to similar in the past. Dropping sections also got harder the day I sealed the joints to keep the rain out. Today, the wind must have been heavier than before, it seems that two of the three sets of cable ties holding the aerial firmly to the fence post had worked loose, and the aerial itself had too much movement available. And it snapped.
On the plus side, the car survived, and no one was in the way at the time. I've managed to recover all but two sections (the very base section is ok, but now the sizes don't match) so I'll hopefully be able to use it again.
At least it's something to talk about! I've been told that if your aerial doesn't fall down in the wind it isn't big enough, so now I know what size to aim for!