The weekend is coming up, good weather is forecast and you have a yearning to go HF portable. You'll need another wire antenna as you don't want to take down what you have at home. Or maybe you'd like another antenna for home. Say a dipole for the new 5 MHz band that amateurs in an increasing number of countries are gaining.
Either way you'll probably need some antenna insulators. These can either be heavy or light depending on the length, thickness and weight of your antenna wire. Those at the centre of a dipole (especially if coax fed) need to be stronger than those needed for a lightweight end-fed. You could try the local ham shop (if there is one) or order them online. But the latter isn't good if you want to start today.
Fortunately you can make your own insulators. Chances are you already have the materials. Personally I use plastic kitchen chopping board material. Here's some further ideas.
* KC8VWM's pictorial article on QRZ forums
* NZ Radio Guy's use of conduit (video)
* Kevin Loughin's idea for insulators (video)
* KD8RTT's cheap source of insulators (video)
PS: The items below may assist your experiments. They are affiliate links meaning that I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to purchase.
Fortunately you can make your own insulators. Chances are you already have the materials. Personally I use plastic kitchen chopping board material. Here's some further ideas.
* KC8VWM's pictorial article on QRZ forums
* NZ Radio Guy's use of conduit (video)
* Kevin Loughin's idea for insulators (video)
* KD8RTT's cheap source of insulators (video)
PS: The items below may assist your experiments. They are affiliate links meaning that I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to purchase.
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