Standoff insulators

[AB6ND]

What sort of store will sell electric fence insulators? I need some for installation of a vertical antenna but inquiries at Home Depot, Lowes and a cattle feed store are unsuccessful. Any ideas?

Thanks,
AB6ND

[KD7WHQ]

The local grange has the lot.

I'm actually surprised you are having problems locating electric fence parts!

[kd5rpo]

A farm supply store rather than a feed store should have what you need. Check the Yellow Pages and call.

[N5RLR]

Hope this helps...

Tractor Supply Company Electric Fencing Supplies [click] (http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=8&paID=1043&sonID=370&orderBy=&page=2)

<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Credit: Tractor Supply Company [MyTSCStore.Com] (http://www.mytscstore.com)</span>

[k9kjm]

Yes, ANY farm supply type store will have electric fence insulators. AND they do work great. While there, Dont forget to also check the price of the electric fence wire!
Under 20 bucks for some varieties of fence wire for a whole 1/4 mile (1,320 FOOT) roll! #This is truly cheap experimenting wire and insulators! # No, It is not a "good" as copper, Or copperweld wire. But for short time (A year or so) use and experimenting with HF antennas, What a DEAL! # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[W5HTW]

Some of the fence wire is pretty good, but it will run about a dollar per one hundred feet! Terribly expensive! Like $27 for 2500 feet! The cheaper stuff is very soft and kinks easily, and will break there, even after bending a bit in the wind. But the heavier wire is pretty substantial provided you don't stress it with a lot of bending or a lot of tension.

The insulators are in two primary kinds. The 'egg' type, which are what you will want for antennas, and the stand-off type, which are used along fence posts to stand off the wire. These are usually nailed to the post, so while they are not good for antenna use, they can be used to hold open wire feedline off of structures.

Most rural hardware stores have plenty of all of the above on hand. Perhaps even some urban hardware stores. I am amazed that the big chains like Home Depot don't, but I buy mine from a place called Valley Farm and Ranch Supply. There's also a feed store about 15 miles from me and they do have some fencing supplies.

You can get enough to put up numerous dipoles for under $35. Dozen or so egg insulators and either 1300 or 2500 feet of electric fence wire.

But keep it secret! We don't want the hardware stores becoming radio supply houses, as they'll go up on their prices.

Ed

[KC0NBW]

Quote[/b] (k9kjm @ Feb. 06 2006,01:22)]Yes, ANY farm supply type store will have electric fence insulators. AND they do work great. While there, Dont forget to also check the price of the electric fence wire!
Under 20 bucks for some varieties of fence wire for a whole 1/4 mile (1,320 FOOT) roll! #This is truly cheap experimenting wire and insulators! # No, It is not a "good" as copper, Or copperweld wire. But for short time (A year or so) use and experimenting with HF antennas, What a DEAL! # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
there is a galvanized fence wire antenna on my grandfather's old farm that was put up for the old farm pack radio in 1945 or so and it is still functional !

no one uses it except me now, i use a dentron jr. tuner and load it on 160-10

there is some of the original barbed wire fence from the days the place was originally homesteaded in the 1890s
that is still intact, although it is a bit rusty in spots ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[AB6ND]

Thank you all for your help. I found one 'Farm' store in the Yellow Pages but when I phoned the man answering the phone said he didn't know anything about that sort of thing as he only sold tractors! I asked for another department and was disconnected. It's about 20 miles away so I'll take a trip later this week.
I might have to find a farm and steal a few insulators. Oh why did I dispose or all those wonderful 'Beehive' standoffs i carted around the world for years?
73
AB6ND

[KC0NBW]

if there are any menards stores in your area, they have electric fence supplies, also if there are any mills fleet-farm stores .

[AB6ND]

Thanks NBW. There are no Menards or Mills Fleet Farms in CA. Someone pointed out to me today that most of the farms within a hundred miles or so radius of Roseville CA are Fruit Farms. Hence there are plenty of ladders and irrigation pipes available!
If the store about 20 miles away doesn't have insulators I'll simply secure this home built vertical to the piece of 2X4 until I can find some. Doesn't rain much here and as I'm feeding at a low impedance point the dry wood should be ok for a while. Now watch it rain!
Thanks again, 73
AB6ND

[KD7WHQ]

I suspect the standoffs you want are the 4-6" variety.

Red Snapper makes them in both the T-post clip, and the base nail varieties.

You decidedly do NOT want the old nail-through types. Played hades with those on a fence once, and won't go back.

The ones that weren't making like an .30-'06 on every pulse, were surely radiating.

Red Snapper site. (http://www.redsnapr.com/global/where_to_buy.aspx)

Key in your zip code, and find a dealer..

[K7FE]

Look in the yellow pages for a "feed" or a horse tack shop. My local feed and tack store has electric fence components. OSH near me also has electric fence items.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[ka9inv]

Quote[/b] (KC0NBW @ Feb. 06 2006,14:34)]if there are any menards stores in your area, they have electric fence supplies, also if there are any mills fleet-farm stores .
I used to work at Menards. That's a regional item that isn't sold at all stores. Fleet and Farm is far more likely to carry that kind of thing.

[AB6ND]

Thanks again for all the help. 7FE there is an OSH store about 18 miles away, I'll give them a try tomorrow. The kind of insulators I would like can be screwed into wood and I have one but need at least one more. Judging by comments about nail secured insulators I wondering if the one I have is from a power company pole. Perhaps I've been mistaken about it's source. It's a very substantial item and a pair would be ideal for mounting a vertical. Thanks again.
AB6ND
ps It's not one of the enormous types!