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Wire connectors ideas? (self.amateur_radio)

submitted 1 year ago by HumanPenguin to c/amateur_radio@sh.itjust.works

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Hi I am looking for a little connection advice.

I use a radio on my narrowboat. As such I am in the process of building a simple random wire antenna. Idea being I have a 5m mast I can raise on the boat while moored. Then run a wire to a local tree or another portable mast.

The issue I am looking for some help with. Is finding connectors so I can set up different length antenna depending on available space.

I have a large kite winding wheel to store the wire with a 9:1 unun on the end. But need to be able to set up 3 different lengths. 143-84-(36 i think) feet. To do this I need some form of connector a lot stronger the your typical bullet crimp. The wind on the towpath and movement of the boat will separate such connectos easy. As the boat rocks. But anything much larger the a bullet will not roll around the kite reel well.

I am looking for some kind on single wire electrical connector. That screws together. So I can select the best length for the enviroment I am in. Unscrew the wire at that length. Commect it to an elastic rope attached to the tree or land based mast.

If the worst comes. I'll make something myself using m2 bolts and inset standoffs. But would love to know if anyone has seen something ready made that will do this.

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[–] HumanPenguin 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

160m when I have the space yes. My club in Harwell has a regular net. So if possible it would be good to set up.

But yes the busy towpath will often limit me to 80 or 40m hence the other 2 lengths. I was thinking of some form of strain relief around a bullet crimp. Would likely be a better connection then the average bolt.

Nit sure how good stainless steel is for rf. Worry about non stainless rusting. Looking for decent alliminium small bolts.

[–] skillissuer@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

i don't think aluminum is good around seawater, but small length of stainless won't matter in this application

[–] HumanPenguin 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sorry narrowboat is a UK inland waterways thing. Canals and rivers. So no salt water.

For info, narrowboats are basically flat bottomed steel boats 6ft10inch wide. Sized for UK canal locks etc. Mine is 25ft long(short) they go up to 72ft. Modern (post 60s) Look like huge steel cuboids. As they are set up like floating caravans. Originally they were designed as cargo transporters with a tiny living cabin at the end.

[–] skillissuer@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

ah okay then

at any rate putting copper and aluminum together in wet environment is a bad idea

[–] HumanPenguin 2 points 1 year ago

Had not realised that. Thanks for the help

[–] skillissuer@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

i think i have a solution for you, consider the following:

make a small loop in place where you want to put a break, then cut that loop so it makes two hooks. at the end of these hooks put bullet connector or what have you, and then slide entire assembly into a tight-fitting plastic tube. this way, when deployed, hooks are under tension but connector itself is compressed, so it won't get disconnected, and it's only as wide as bullet connector + 2x wire + tube that keeps it all from going sideways

[–] HumanPenguin 2 points 1 year ago

nods that sounds like a good solution. Ive ordered some bits to try it.