John, I had exactly the same experience as you with the DXE 450 ohm
ladderline. After two frustrating years of repairs, I finally switched
it for WD-1/TT mil surplus field telephone wire. I now have four
lengths of 720 ft each for my beverage antennas, which have been in
the field for four years, with zero maintenance issues.
On my beverages, the WD-1 is tied to a 4x4 post at each end, and
routed loosely through holes in ceramic insulators spaced every 60
feet or so. The wire is indestructible, comes as a twisted pair in
half-mile spools, and costs about $50 for an unused spool. I tie the
twisted pair wires together to make a single conductor. It’s extremely
strong, impervious to the elements, including the high winds and
intense UV sunlight, here in NM at 7000 ft elevation.
73,
Jim w8zr
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 12, 2020, at 8:26 AM, John Kaufmann via Topband
> <topband@contesting.com> wrote:
>
> I'm looking for a source for durable ladder line for making two-wire
> reversible Beverages for use at the KC1XX contest station. In the past
> we've used the line sold by DX Engineering but over the years we've found
> that the plastic spacers between the wires become brittle and break off. It
> may be UV exposure that causes this. We also get some pretty severe weather
> at KC1XX hilltop location, with ice in the winter and frequent strong winds.
> The spacer breakage sometimes exposes the wires, which then become twisted,
> and the ladder line generally becomes weakened and prone to wire breakage.
>
>
>
> What else is available commercially?
>
>
>
> 73, John W1FV
>
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