ERECTING AN AERIAL

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 10, 23 September 1927, Page 5

ERECTING AN AERIAL

| SOME HANDY TINTS. In erecting an aerial where one end of it is fastened to a pole or a tree that will move in the wind certain precautions must be taken, otherwise poor reception or a broken wire will result. Poor signals from an aerial strung from a tree can usually be traced to absorption by the branches and leaves. Keep the aerial at least three feet from the nearest branches, walls, or

other structures. A broken aerial is caused by the swinging of a pole or tree, ‘There is one method of eliminating this trouble. Fasten the aerial to an insulator and fasten the insulator to a wire that is fairly long. ‘then on the movable support string a pulley with a bit of heavy wire. Through the wheel portion of the pulley run the wire running from the aerial insulator. ‘Io the end of this insulator fasten a window weight. If this weight is not sufficient to keep the aerial taut, then add a stone or another window weight. When the proper weight is found the aerial will be safe in any storm.

In the case of the aerial tat strung between two inimovalle supports there is a method that will eliminate fussing with the aerial continually to keep it taut. In each end of the aerial insert a large turnbuckle. Get the kind that has a five-inch take-up; Installing the turnbuckles in an aerial is an easy job and is well worth the money and time spent on it, Insert the buckles between the insulator and the support. Be sure that they are extended full length hefore fastening, ‘Then fasten the atrial as tight as possible to the turnbuckle. By turning the centre part of the turnbuckle the aerial can be made extremely tight. Therefore, when the wire starts to slack up a turn or two in the buckle will keep it at the > 51