[SBE] hole in helix

[Bill Whitt]

What's weird is there are 2 holes along this one run of transmission line.
If there is no other damage around the 25 foot area, I'm leaning toward
water or a blowout personally. Water is especially tricky because of
condensation. Since the line was used infrequently - hot and cold spots in
the line from the summer and possibly cold nights - condensation and BOOM
fire works baby.

On a side note. If there is a light or other flashy implement in the area -
these attracts gun-tote'n rednecks. I would look for tower damage and
possibly other peoples lines being damaged. These particular animals are
fascinated with microwave covers here in Oregon. There is pieces of plastic
all over the base of the towers out here. We were going to implement a "No
Limit" tag for these critters, but they shoot back - so no takers so far.

Bill Whitt


-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of Gary
Blievernicht
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 12:56 PM
To: sbe member discussion mail list
Subject: Re: [SBE] hole in heliax

these are big holes about a dime in diameter.  the network analyzer measured
it as an "open" 330 foot from the test point.




>>> "Reynolds, Paul (CXR-San Antonio)" <Paul.Reynolds at CoxRadio.com> 8/6/2008

15:14  >>>
I first suggest you drill about a 1/8" hole at the lowest point to see
if any water runs out.  If it does or doesn't, then plug the hole with
epoxy or the like, wrap it tightly and pressurize a little.  Try your
transmitter again slowly.  I would be curious as to the 'size' of the
hole if it's blow out, lightning hit or bullet sizes.  Don't forget to
also epoxy the 1/8" hole you drilled at the bottom ! 

Paul K. Reynolds, C.E.
 paul.reynolds at coxradio.com 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of Gary
Blievernicht
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 1:56 PM
To: sbe member discussion mail list
Subject: [SBE] hole in heliax

We have two holes in the 3" (air) heliax run to our stand-by antenna.
The antenna is at the 500 foot level on our tower, the holes are about
six feet apart at about the 300 foot level.  Might have been lightning?
Might have blow out when we applied power on Friday for the first time
in months? .  The line had been holding pressure until last Friday, so,
I'm figuring it blew out.  

Wonder if we should just splice out twenty-five feet of heliax or if we
should, at considerably more expense, replace the entire run.

Or try the splice and see what happens?

I can send anyone a pair of pictures if you are interested.




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