| Printable Version (Pull down File menu and then "print") |
Step Six - Installing the wire elements
- Begin with the 20 Meter band first and install all four wires with their end spacers using the steps below the photos. You will probably
need to adjust clamps and the cords to get the wires in the right position with each other.
- After installation of the 20 meter wires, you will find that most of the cords used to establish the hex beam shape are no longer needed.
However, you will need six cords permanently, including two new intermediate cords to maintain the hex beam shape as shown below.
The other cords can be removed.
- When you are satisfied with the 20 meter wires, this same process should be followed for the other bands. But here is an important
point. The 20 meter wires and the six cords will provide the necessary tension to maintain the shape of the hex beam. Therefore, the 20
meter wires will be much more taut than the other bands. However, it is neither necessary nor advisable to tighten the other bands to
the same tension as the 20 meter wires. In fact, it is much better to allow the other bands' wires to be relatively slack. Over tightening
them can distort the shape of the hex beam.
- When all the wires are installed, adjust clamp locations to make the wires parallel as much as possible and level with the ground. This
is a little more art than science but your goal should be to seek overall symmetry among the wires and a horizontal plane. Because the
entire structure is flexible, you will find a good bit of interaction among the wires as you take up slack and move clamps around. Some
patience is needed to achieve the overall result.
This is one of the twenty knees
that the wires form when they
loop through the hose clamp.
that the wires form when they
loop through the hose clamp.
All 20 meter wires installed
and adjusted level with each
other.
and adjusted level with each
other.
Click these photos to enlarge
Using #14 gauge copper wire,
make 10 of these little hooks to
be used with the hose clamps
to connect the ends of the
wires on the spreaders.
make 10 of these little hooks to
be used with the hose clamps
to connect the ends of the
wires on the spreaders.
The little hooks will be used as
shown with the hose clamps to
anchor the end spacer lugs.
shown with the hose clamps to
anchor the end spacer lugs.
The end spacers simply loop
over the little hooks making
them much easy to install.
over the little hooks making
them much easy to install.
All wires have been installed.
Let the 20 meter wires hold the
hex beam in shape. Do not
over tighten the other wires. It
will not harm the performance
and over tightening can result
in distortion of the overall
shape of the hex beam.
Let the 20 meter wires hold the
hex beam in shape. Do not
over tighten the other wires. It
will not harm the performance
and over tightening can result
in distortion of the overall
shape of the hex beam.
With the bulk of the tension on
the 20 meter wires, I reinforced
the fixtures here as you can
see with even a piece of
Dacron as backup. Notice the
S hook has been closed.
the 20 meter wires, I reinforced
the fixtures here as you can
see with even a piece of
Dacron as backup. Notice the
S hook has been closed.
One of the two intermediate
Dacron cords is attached near
the 15 meter spreader clamp.
Dacron cords is attached near
the 15 meter spreader clamp.
Another view of one of the 20
meter wires with end spacer.
Note that the little copper hook
has been closed down to
prevent the wire from coming
off while manhandling the hex
beam onto the mast.
meter wires with end spacer.
Note that the little copper hook
has been closed down to
prevent the wire from coming
off while manhandling the hex
beam onto the mast.
An end spacer. Note that the
Dacron has been "cauterized"
to keep it from fraying. The
little camping lighter was used
for that.
Dacron has been "cauterized"
to keep it from fraying. The
little camping lighter was used
for that.
| Steps for installing the wires. Click to enlarge. |