Antenna Sabotage
George White (KD7YVV)
on
August 22, 2009
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Have you ever had your antenna sabotaged? It's not a fun experience...
Last summer, when the property manager had
tree trimmers come out, I showed them the
antenna, explained what it was for, and
lowered it to lay flat on the ground so it
wouldn't be damaged while they did their
work. Never had a problem raising it back
up, and the fishing line spool was hidden
in a tree and it could only be retrieved
by shimmying up the tree a few feet.
Stayed up there all year with no problems.
It was installed 4 years ago with the
blessing of the property manager.
It has been through a couple of good
windstorms, only having to be repaired once.
By repaired, I mean, pulling the whole thing
down and replacing all the wire.
So, wire age doesn't appear to be a factor.
The place where I had my dipole up is fairly
wooded and somewhat steep in places.
It is filled with running sticker vines and
you'll definitely tear your skin up if you
venture within unprepared.
Well, today I happened to glance at the tree
expecting to see the gently sloping dipole
relaxing amongst the trees. No gentle sloping
wire to be seen, and you'd really have to
look to see it amongst the greenery.
The areas where the ends were tied off, you'd
have to shimmy up a tree on each end a couple
of feet or so. This put the antenna out of
the reach of anyone or anything on the ground.
The fishing line holding the center up was
also out of reach of the ground.
In order to reach the ladderline and balun,
you'd need a fairly long branch, and the
one I had hidden was still in its exact spot
away from the antenna and buried under
leaves and sticker bushes.
The reason being, the ground under the
antenna decides to slope very steeply.
Well, apparently someone managed to cut the
wire in at least 4 places on one side.
The other side was hopelessly tangled within
sticker bushes, bunched up in one area.
First thought would be a storm.
Nix that idea, as we haven't had any bad
storms since the end of May.
The wire wasn't taut by any means and had
plenty of room to move around.
That rules out breakage by tension.
It was also only a couple of months old.
You could actually see the shiny copper
inside the insulation where it had been
cut.
I could be angry about it, but I think I'm
more dismayed than angry.
If I were causing TVI/RFI, then why didn't
anyone come over? I have no TVI/RFI here
in the shack. I don't even come over the
computer speakers and they're within feet
of the radio.
When I put up the antenna, I made sure that
it would be difficult for the average
person to come by and mess with it.
It's a shame we live in a society where
people don't leave property that doesn't
belong to them alone.
Fortunately, I'll be moving in February
so a small wire on the patio will have to
do so I can at least listen.
KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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Antenna Sabotage
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by KL7 on August 22, 2009
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Get a motion-triggered infrared game trail camera from Cabelas and camouflage it, and put up another antenna. Soon you'll have some nice incriminating evidence on the camera for the police. These cameras are perfect for taking low-lifes out of circulation. I've done it.
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Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 22, 2009
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Sorry to hear about this, George. That's gotta chap your hide.
The FCC might consider this malicious destruction of communications equipment, but I don't know.
Is there any chance that tree squirrels chewed the wire? I have had that happen in my pine-tree dipole. Just a thought. They didn't even like the tennis ball I launched to put up a new antenna, and chased it down through the branches. Of course that situation was humorous. I suspect yours isn't.
Good luck.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KG4RUL on August 22, 2009
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I had a Ventenna, 2M/70CM, Vent Pipe antenna installed on my roof. The Squirrels stripped the outer covering from the RG-58 coax in several places and, chewed through at two places.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KI9A on August 22, 2009
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Add me to the squirrel idea list, also. I've witnessed those little boogers doing this.
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Antenna Sabotage?
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by AI2IA on August 22, 2009
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Don't call it "sabotage" unless you see it happen eyewitness or video.
My 160 meter off-center fed wire dipole was made with heavy gauge copper-clad steel antenna wire. I found it down one morning, cut in more than one place mostly near the balun.
I put it up and it was cut again. This time I saw the culprits - two younger squirrels!
I put it up with a common ground RF choke wound on 8 inch PVC pipe with a cloth sack of rags soaked in peppermint oil. Squirrels supposedly hate peppermint oil. They not only took it down, they threw the sack of peppermint oil out from inside the PVC pipe! I have a photo of two squirrels sitting inside the PVC pipe in the tree.
I waited until spring and put it up all over again and have not had trouble since, even though I see squirrels running through the same trees. It has remained undisturbed for a year and half now.
I have no idea why they attacked it, and now no idea why they are leaving it alone.
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Squirrel dental floss
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by N8NSN on August 22, 2009
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They use it like dental floss! I have lost a lot of good runs of coax and wire to those tree rats.
Jim N8NSN
Dayton, OH
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Antenna Sabotage
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by WA8MEA on August 22, 2009
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Bulldozer grading our gravel driveway....
Adrian College baseball....(fly balls....)
Tree limbs....
Wind....
Snow....
Ice....
73....
Bill....
WA8MEA....
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Antenna Sabotage
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by AB2NM on August 22, 2009
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<Get a motion-triggered infrared game trail camera from Cabelas> I like that idea; sounds cool.
Whether squirrels or humans, the end result is the same. You have my condolences.
It appears that hams and bird watchers both have been frustrated by these small tree dwelling rodents. I recommend two books: "Outwitting Squirrels" by Bill Adler, and "Squirrel Wars" by George H. Harrison. Both books are well written and full of useful and sometimes amusing ideas.
Best of luck OM. I hope that your new QTH fulfills your dreams, and squirrel free.
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Antenna Sabotage
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by K4MK on August 22, 2009
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You' all must have mean squirrels -- I' ve never had one bother a thing here..
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WB0CJB on August 22, 2009
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A sure sign of the "Animal Conspiracy"!!!!!!!
Anyone who knows of the comedian Tim Bedore and his "Vague But True" series on radio has heard him mention the animal conspiracy many times.For those who haven't its worth listening to and get a good laugh out of.
I have a vertical where I have used the black Dacron ropes for guys.There had been several times where I noticed one or two guys look as if someone tried to cut them in two about 6-10 inches from the ground.Finally one day one was clearly cut in two.My first thoughts was of the neighbor's kids taking a knife or pair of scissors and cutting it. Never could understand why people's kids' can't leave other people's stuff alone.But the more I thought about it I came to the conclusion the animals (rabbits and one beaver) living in the woods or under the shed in our lot) probably did the damage.The antenna was never damaged or messed with by the kids so if it was them or some low-life it would have been by that time.
Hard to explain the bunched up wire but just one more sign that we have to live with an occasional animal vandalism.At least it wasn't a 500 foot radio tower dropped by someone cutting the guys.Yes, a hassle to have to deal with but if there hasn't been anyone mess with it in over 4 years I'd say you didn't have much to worry about.
Paul WB0CJB
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by W3JKS on August 22, 2009
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We have constant problems with both 2- and 4-legged squirrels here. :-)
If you place a good bias-T in-line and charge it with about 12,000 volts, it will control both problems very effectively. (have picked up several hundred trespassers off the ground - I work for a power company).
73s,
john W3JKS
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Antenna Sabotage
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by KE5LDO on August 22, 2009
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My WA2NAN 204' G5RV was attacked by copper thieves..they only got 1/2 of it down, at 40'! The other half was above a great neighbors carport. Have only mounted it a 20'. made the report to authorities who asked who did it? Beats the H--- out of me! I thought that was your bailiwick! It Survived,(Thanks Kerry) but the word is out by my neighbor that any one caught messing with it will join the antenna as an insulator at 40'. Great neighbors are hard to find. KE5LDO.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KE5LDO on August 22, 2009
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Followup: There was a knife cut on the support cable that sliced it in two very neatly...unless the squirrels were packing shivs, it was a semi-human.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 22, 2009
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I hope I didn't start a squirrel war (early post.) Seems like others have had similar experience.
We have two well-bred bird dogs, one springer and one britt. These dogs have an obsession about birds. I don't know how they breed this into the DNA, but they do. We find a lot of soggy Blue Jays in the yard that seemingly think (or "thought," past tense) it's fun to "dive bomb" the dogs.
I guess because we never get to hunt much, the dogs have taken their frustration out on the squirrels. There is an obvious decrease in the population--at least in our own yard.
Sorry to ramble and didn't mean to hijack the topic. I just thought it was funny.
I'll have to check out those books mentioned above. They sound great. Thanks.
Now back to your regularly scheduled Hawaii QSO Party--in progress.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WA1RNE on August 22, 2009
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Squirrels with hardened steel teeth.....
I didn't realize eHam was running a Comedy Forum...
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 22, 2009
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>"a knife cut on the support cable that sliced it in two very neatly"
With that evidence, my wager is on copper thieves, as someone already mentioned, and probably crack or meth addicts.
Crack or meth addicts don't usually live very long, unless of course they go to jail.
Wait a month and hoist a new antenna.
Good luck.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 22, 2009
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>"I didn't realize eHam was running a Comedy Forum..."
Better Comedy than Flames, I say.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K9MHZ on August 22, 2009
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Yeah, just move. Don't know your particular situation, but properties of all types....to own, rent,...are available, and cheap.
Vote with your moving van and get something nice.
Good luck.
Brad
K9MHZ
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K1CJS on August 22, 2009
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Is IS better that comedy is here than flames. The flames seemed to have died down. Maybe squirrels got at keyboard cables too!
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by SV9OFO on August 22, 2009
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>"I didn't realize eHam was running a Comedy Forum..."
but it's all about fun anyway, isn't it?
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Squirrel Relocater
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by K0BG on August 22, 2009
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If you all haven't seen this, it is worth a look: http://icantslowdown.com/humor/clean/SquirrelRelocater.wmv
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KC0RBX on August 22, 2009
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O.K. Here is the solution to your problem. You're going to have to set up a surveilance (sp) perimeter with either motion detecting cameras or anti-anti-antenna personnel. Anti-antenna being squirrels, neighbors, copper thieves, meth addicts, rotten bastard child kids, other jealous hams who think you have a louder and prouder system than they do or even raccoons.
Next, when you determine who is raiding your system, you need to determine the correct method to "terminate" the "enemy". This might take a strong stomach and a strong will. So, the trick is to catch the bastards in the act.
Next, if you don't have a legal limit amplifier, then buy, borrow, beg or steal one. Next, hook it up. Next, wait for the bastard to perform the act again. They will. While they are attacking your system key up your amp and let'em have it. Either you will have squirrels fly out of trees like popping popcorn or you will have a meth addict land down at the base of your tree in a thud. You'll have to be quick to capture that enemy because he will most likely be "tweaking" and hard to catch. Once captured, drag him to your shack where you will already have your interrogation unit ready complete with high voltage r.f. electrodes, a vise to put their head in and a water boarding stage for a slightly more humane treatment. Next, torture the living shit out of him. Or...her. Get as many answers out of him to find out where his base of operations is and who else he cavorts with. Next, build a bomb vest complete with a 2 meter receiver equipped with a DTMF decoder and relay and send him back to base. When he gets back to his base, send the DTMF code to activate the relay in the vest to blow up his base of operations. Problem solved. Things like this take much planning and persistence but the payoff is well worth the time and effort to be able to stay on the bands. Its our hobby ya know. We must do our best to stay up and running for the next ARES training session or actual emergency. Its our DUTY. Its our MISSION. Its our higher calling. Its DEDICATION. Now, get out there and fight the good fight, OM!! HOOWAAAAAAA
Kevin,
kc0rbx
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WA1RNE on August 22, 2009
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"switch from copper to stainless steel wire"
>>> Might as well go for barbed wire. Maybe it will mimic a fractal and increase bandwidth.
LOL...
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KD7YVV on August 22, 2009
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AI2IA:
Don't call it "sabotage" unless you see it happen eyewitness or video.
My 160 meter off-center fed wire dipole was made with heavy gauge copper-clad steel antenna wire. I found it down one morning, cut in more than one place mostly near the balun.
I put it up and it was cut again. This time I saw the culprits - two younger squirrels!
Well the cuts look like they were done with a cutting
instrument, clean, and sharp. I do have squirrels around
here, if they sabotaged the antenna, no more peanuts for
them! I just found it unusual that one side would be
cut in four places and the other side bunched up and
laying in the brambles.
KC0RBX:
I'd do that if I could, but you KNOW the government
hates competition! :)
The area where the antenna was, is a haven to
homeless people sometimes, and there's a sort of path
near the electrical transmission tower next door
to come down off the top of the hill.
I've never seen what a squirrel bite through wire
looks like, but when I looked, it looked like it was
cut. I'll have to wait until the move to the new
QTH before I put something back up.
If you see me wearing a squirrelskin cap, you'll know
I've exacted my revenge! Muahahahahhahahah!
Nah, I'm an old softie. I couldn't hurt a fly. :)
Anyways, I like the ongoing comments.
Any ideas what I could put up at the new QTH that will
do 160-10? It's near the ocean so the weather on
the coast will be a factor.,
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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RE: Squirrel Relocater
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by K1CJS on August 22, 2009
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"If you all haven't seen this, it is worth a look: http://icantslowdown.com/humor/clean/SquirrelRelocater.wmv"
To do what? This video borders on cruelty to animals. It's amazing how some epople get their jollies.
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RE: Squirrel Relocater
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by WMCO on August 22, 2009
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The only cruelty to anymals is not to eat them after you kill em...animals have only one purpose to be hunted and eaten.
J.C.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by QRZDXR2 on August 22, 2009
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George... had the same problem one time here. Yep copper thives from the low lifes of society who DON'T want to work.
First off we got a dog. The low lifes stole the mutt (too frendly I guess) We got a bigger dog... and they killed it. (cops only filled out forms OVER THE PHONE) So the local counstiable was not much help... budget cuts you know.. was all I got for satisfaction.
Well thought on it a while and came up with the idea after the third wire antenna disapearance that what we would do is attach a hot wire (cattle fence post single wire zapper) to it when not in use.
It worked at first. By that I mean everything stood up to the high voltage... except when they cut the coax first.. then made off with the copper wire again.
Ok time to get serious. After seeing pictures of some low life who tried to steal the high tension lines thinking they were not alive.(boy did he get fried)
I came up with a new antenna .. yep used open ladder line... to which we put some big inuslators on the house end. This then was hooked to the fence post hotwire. However, we wanted that extra zap to let 'em know not to mess with it again. So we dug in and boosted the HV to a whopping 50,000 from the modified fence charger... It only tickled the squirls... and made 'em jump funny.. we needed more power... and I eyed the linear amp... thinking, directly right off the linear amp. I mean we had 1 amp of 5,000 volts on that line added to the pulsing 50kv. Squirels tried but fried. When the thief came back (in broad daylight) about noon, he too got a suprise when he reached up and tried to cut the wire this time.
As I watched from upstairs inside the house I heard the guy bark , then the linear high voltage ckt breaker let go with a snap. The guy got his frog jumping legs into action and made a record 8 feet backwards taking the wire with him. Every time the fence charger ticked, you could see him flench and wet himself more.
Being of the politcally correct mind, and not wanting to get involved... I waited a few min until he got up... could definately see he crapped in his shorts and pea'd all over himself. He staggered off kinda funny like leaving his wire cutters behind had a hard time making it over the fence however, never to be seen again.
Hey if the cops won't catch 'em why should you report 'em. I am all in favor of taking care of the problem by itself. And yes I believe in guns for home defense too.
I know of one other that hooked his taser up to his antenna wire. He too reported that bugs, bunnies, rats and thieves left his property alone. If you get a camera... make sure you put up the sign that says... smile.. because that is about all its worth.
These animals only understand pain and because of that they will go to the next door neighbor who is more passive and politically correct while leaving you alone. (ya my next door neighbor doesn't like guns either.. so I told them, I promass that if a thief breaks into your house I won't come running over with my gun to protect you.) Surprise he has been broken into 3 times and just can't understand why the cops are not protecting his property... go figure
Ya don't want to shoot 'em because the blood is such a mess to clean up... and besides it attracts ants.
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RE: Squirrel Relocater
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by WD9FUM on August 22, 2009
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"The only cruelty to animals is not to eat them after you kill 'em...animals have only one purpose to be hunted and eaten."
That's why I belong to PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals!
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Antenna Sabotage
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by G0GQK on August 22, 2009
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What's happening in the States ? You have squirtles with teeth like hacksaw blades who can chew through steel wire ? They should call these terminator squirtles and send out posse's to round 'em up !
G0GQK
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K9FON on August 22, 2009
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Those evil squirrels. Darn tree rats. I dont have that problem here but i have quite a few black birds that like to sit on my wire antenna waiting for me to put out some bird feed. I also live in a small little hick town were there are no covenants so i put up what i want to.
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Antenna Sabotage
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by AI2IA on August 22, 2009
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The squirrels that bit through my copper clad steel 160 meter dipole did a very neat job of it. It looked like it was cut with tempered wire cutters.
They dropped one leg that was running from a Green Ash Tree to a Dawn Redwood Tree. The other leg they left alone. The bites were near the common mode RF choke. They also nicked the coaxial cable in three spots but did not bother to bite it clean through. It may be that they did not like the short 8-inch PVC pipe resting on a wide branch of the Green Ash Tree. This could have been one of their above ground highways. I did photograph two of them sitting inside the pipe. I still have the same arrangement, but they have left it alone for about a year and a half.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KE5KDT on August 22, 2009
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Well George it seems that since you used fishing line to hold up the bait you should have "caught" the culprit. My guess is that your antenna was not resonate and the squirrels were trying to get the SWR down. I mean they tried four time to trim it. I'll bet before you noticed the problem, when you tried to tune the antenna from the rig it was all squirrely. Thanks George for you post. This is one article about antennas where no one criticised the author. Bravo to you. Anything else interesting going on around your house the ham world can help you with? Check engine light on? Thanks, I haven't lagughed this hard in a long time. Bob
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Antenna Sabotage
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by KA4AQM on August 22, 2009
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Every squirrel who would do this damage should be taught a lesson...maybe the word would get out....perhaps wait till you see one chewing, then fire up the radio and TUNE BABY TUNE...that'll teach'em!
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 22, 2009
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.
Odd.
I thought that video Alan posted contained animal cruelty, and I still believe that.
But on the other hand I have no ethical problem with high voltage on a wire as a way to deal with (two-legged) copper thieves.
It would appear Jung was correct.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by W2CZ on August 22, 2009
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Time to get tough! Break out the Wouff-Hong and Rettysnitch!
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RE: Squirrel Relocater
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by KL7 on August 22, 2009
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Apparently there has been a lot of recent innovation in this area:
http://www.clipaday.com/videos/squirrel-catapult-ii
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by W8JII on August 22, 2009
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I would be very careful with the high voltage booby traps some people here have suggested. I would do some checking to see what legal liability you might have. You could quite possibly save your antenna and lose everything else you own in court and maybe even be prosecuted criminally.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 22, 2009
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Plead the 5th?
Or...
"Sorry...I didn't know he was going to touch my antenna while I was transmitting?"
Seriously, you are correct.
Setting a trap for humans is illegal.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KD7YVV on August 22, 2009
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Well, there are always things that will happen to
an antenna. Since I'd never seen what a wire looked
like after a squirrel went through it, I had no point
of reference. It looked like someone cut it to me.
Makes me wonder if any contacts I made fried any
squirrels. If so, then I know what I'm having for dinner!
And I won't have to cook it! Heheheheheheheheheh!
On the serious side though, after I move, I'll be able
to put up a more efficient antenna. :)
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WB2WIK on August 22, 2009
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Move to where there aren't any antenna restrictions and do whatever you wish.
I've been hamming 44 years from 17 different home QTH sites (15 of my own, 2 with my parents) and have never had anyone vandalize my antennas, but then I wasn't trying to hide them, either. They're very, very visible, in some cases from 20-30 blocks away.
That way I can really keep an eye on them.
;-)
WB2WIK/6
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Antenna Sabotage
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by KE5VUI on August 22, 2009
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The phone company has spent millions on this problem including "squirrel resistant cable". Don't ask me why the rats like wire (both kinds- smooth tail and furry tail). As a professional auto mechanic I have had to repair quite a few wire harness from this type of dammage.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by AC5UP on August 22, 2009
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Let's not be too hard on nature's little arboreal acrobats... My neighborhood is blessed with one who is a master of the treetop tango and has every backyard bowser pwned right up to their flea collar.
I, for one, take pleasure in watching a truly talented squirrel humiliate the pedigreed barkers with every flip of their tail. Let's just say the dude "Got Nuts" in every sense of the phrase. ;)
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WA1RNE on August 22, 2009
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Put this bad boy to work, he'll protect your antennas.
I've been a ham for 35 years, etc., etc. and he's never failed me yet......
Think of his "buddy" as an over-grown but very fast squirrel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJJW7EF5aVk
...WA1RNE
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KA4KOE on August 22, 2009
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Use WD1T telephone wire for your aerials. Military stuff, extremely tough to cut.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WB2WIK on August 22, 2009
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>RE: Antenna Sabotage Reply
by KA4KOE on August 22, 2009 Mail this to a friend!
Use WD1T telephone wire for your aerials. Military stuff, extremely tough to cut.<
Better still, stainless steel piano wire about neck high stretched tight and secured in a perimeter 100' around the antenna should do the trick.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WI7B on August 22, 2009
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"It was installed 4 years ago with the blessing of the property manager."
Sorry to be harsh. Let me take a stab in the dark here. Maybe it doens't have his blessings anymore, but he didn't want to tell you in person? Did you talk to them? It's not mentioned in the article...
"It's a shame we live in a society where people don't leave property that doesn't belong to them alone."
Perhaps you do. The property manager was doing his job on the property he managed.
73,
---* Ken
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K7MH on August 22, 2009
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Squirrels are just tree rats. Chewed through the spark plug wires in my wife's car. Chewed up $1500 of wiring in a ham friends Toyota pickup. They have chewed the inner front fender (plastic) of my 2005 Silverado and chewed the handle off the plastic garbage can.
Good reason to own a pellet gun!!
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KA4KOE on August 22, 2009
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Piano wire is not insulated and hard to come by, I would suspect in long lengths.
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Antenna Sabotage
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by K9FH on August 22, 2009
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Have several antenna wires in trees and have up to a dozen local squirrels. I feed the squirrels peanuts regularly. Never any problems. Keep 'em fed and maybe they wont try to chew on anything else. Also set out a water bowl for them and any other critters that wander through the yard.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by VE3LNY on August 23, 2009
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I put an experimental antenna in my yard and ran some RG58 along the ground for a few weeks. One day the coax was cut clean through as if a wire cutter had been used, but it was almost certainly done by an animal like a squirrel. I have several wires strung up to trees but they don't bother with those.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K2WH on August 23, 2009
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Do this. Make an adapter out of a standard 120vac plug and cord and on the other end, a way to attach to your dipole using a PL-259 or if using ladder line, a different method of attachement.
Plug the antenna in at night to the nearest convenient outlet. Since it is a dipole, you can safely plug it in to the wall socket without a short circuit. It should electrocute anything and anyone who touches your antenna. I've used this method as a way to check for hidden breaks in rubber insulated wiring using a Tic-Tracer in which the insulation is still intact.
However, since electrocuting humans will probably result in you going to jail, I would heartily suggest plugging the cord into a GFCI outlet. If the possibility of electrocution and ultimate death is not your cup of tea, use a high voltage, low current source to just zap someone or something to get their attention. On the other hand, you could use squirrel deterents on the ends of your dipole. The least expensive and very effective is 1 litre coke bottles (empty of course and remove the label so they are clear plastic and hard to see), drill a small hole in the bottom end, and a corresponding hole in the cap. Slip your antenna wire through the bottle and hoist up with the antenna. Any squirrel trying to get to the antenna by stepping on the bottle will only cause it to rotate thereby letting the squirrel fall to the ground. Once on the ground, you can either shoot it, crush it or using the other recommendations, electrocute it by having and energized window screen located at the point of impact. When the squirrle steps off the window screen - ZAP!
K2WH
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RE: Squirrel Relocater
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by KI9A on August 23, 2009
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"The only cruelty to anymals is not to eat them after you kill em...animals have only one purpose to be hunted and eaten."
Don't love a piece of crap like this guy, who doesn't have the BALLS to use his call/name on a post?
Wow. The gutlessness is amazing!
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K1CJS on August 23, 2009
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Like K9FH, I have a few wires run out into the yard. Also have 'pet' squirrels--they'll actually come up and sit on the porch railing and wait for peanuts. Never have had a problem with them chewing on ANYTHING. Some of us are just lucky, I guess.
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Antenna Sabotage
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by K2JX on August 23, 2009
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I've been told by our local Verizon tech that the telephone companies had developed several years ago what they commonly call "tree wire". It's what's now used (overhead) to bring phone service into a premises. The outer shiny black jacket is treated with a chemical that squirrels don't like, so they leave it alone. By the way,the average squirrel's bite has been measured at 2200 pounds per sq inch of pressure which will easily cut through wire.
73/K2JX
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 23, 2009
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"The outer shiny black jacket is treated with a chemical that squirrels don't like, so they leave it alone. "
We need to USB cables like that.
Our house cat likes to chew pc and appliance wires. I fear someday she will get into 120 VAC.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 23, 2009
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>"I, for one, take pleasure in watching a truly talented squirrel humiliate the pedigreed barkers with every flip of their tail. Let's just say the dude "Got Nuts" in every sense of the phrase"
We have two dogs that catch birds and squirrels routinely. (see them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28090816@N05/3848951580/ )
I don't know how they do it, but they do. I suspect it is because they are both very agile bird dogs who are bred to hunt and love to jump. I've witnessed it. The blue jays and squirrels probably just underestimate them. The eat the squirrels (I've seen it with my own eyes) but I just find soggy birds in the yard from time to time. Maybe they don't like feathers, or bird lice. Or maybe they leave them as bait for cats.
Fearing parasites and pathogens, I've taken the squirrels away from the dogs when I catch them in the act. One must have a well-trained dog for it to give up a squirrel to its master. But it's still not easy. They are reluctant to give it up, but we work it out.
They are great frisbee dogs, too.
You guys who like to catapult or electrocute animals need to seek professional help--no joking. This juvenile, sadistic attitude is not socially acceptable. You need to get out more into polite society and observe mature humans. You're operating at the maturity level of a 9 year old.
Hunting is a separate category, and should be done with respect. You are not hunting. You are torturing.
Animals were not put here for your childish, cruel amusement. Get a life and grow up.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KG4TKC on August 23, 2009
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"Maybe they don't like feathers, or bird lice."
-----------------------------------------------
K5END
Actually,that is a sign of a very well bred or very well trained bird dog. If they don't eat the birds,and bring them to you then you have some nice ones there. To do this without being trained to do so is highly prized.To give up the birds to you easily,almost as if it is a game,is also the mark of a very good bird dog. Sounds like you have some excellent bird dogs there,,:) 73, KG4TKC
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WB2WIK on August 23, 2009
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Philip, piano wire is really easy to come by. I re-wire our piano here at home, since it's not difficult to do (a bit dangerous -- wear gloves and goggles!) and the wire is very cheap. Once you're done all you need is an "electronic tuning fork," which is also inexpensive and we have some anyway.
.029" piano wire is 445' per pound, and available in 5 lb rolls for a few bucks...
http://www.pianosupplies.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Mapes_5LB
WB2WIK/6
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 23, 2009
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Thanks, Cullen
That makes perfect sense.
Now, if only we could get some wild pheasants we could hunt in the hot part of Texas here. (doubtful!)
LDK
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by N6HPX on August 23, 2009
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I had similar problem to your but was to a beam antenna I was trying to put together, it was in my parents front yard as the weeds were super tall in the back and someone 2 times came by a bent the elements. The first time I thought was a mistake but when it happened the second time I moved the antenna to the garage. Seemed there was a person who apparently didnt like my family, or soemthing, we had an old heathikt wind device and they shot out the scoops.
Good luck and happy dxing
73 from Okinawa
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K7PEH on August 23, 2009
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George, where are you moving to? Are you moving over to the coast, I remember you mentioning something like that before. So, does this mean no more 50/9 signal reports we give each other. George and I live about three blocks apart from each other.
And, George, if you need help with putting up yet another antenna until you move let me know. I heard that you had antenna problems but I wasn't sure if they were fixed yet or not.
phil, K7PEH
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Antenna Sabotage
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by W8QF on August 23, 2009
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Most critters living in Dayton,Oh are mean. They even have squirls hanging out at the fight gym downtown. Dayton had 10 shooting in one week leaving 4 folks dead and all the squirles have survived.
Dave, W8QF
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Antenna Sabotage
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by KB5ZXM on August 23, 2009
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I used to run temp telephone service thru the woods to construction sites and drilling rigs. There was this direct burial drop wire,I would buy, 1 pair, black jacket said Brand Rex on the spool. That stuff was tough, I always used lineman's pliers to cut it. and that was a chore.
I had often wondered how it would work as antenna wire? even as feed line?
The only thing I ever saw try to eat it was deer.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by AB4D on August 23, 2009
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Contrary to the advice given by a few of the posters here, under no circumstances do you ever set a booby trap for another person, criminal or not. Not only is this illegal in most states, if the person is harmed, you can be held liable.
Would you rather replace a $20 dollar antenna, or would you rather spend the rest of their life paying out several thousand dollars a month to the person you hurt with your booby trap, after some hot shot lawyer and a liberal jury awards him or her a multi-millon dollar settlement?
I totally agree that the person who damaged your antenna was wrong and a jerk, but you can't go on a vendetta because some A-hole damaged your wire antenna.
Anyone who uses wire knows that what goes up must come down, it is just a matter of when. Wire antennas are considered to be disposable.
Just put up another one, build it better than before, high enough where it is not easy for someone to get to it.
73
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by AL7GA on August 24, 2009
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I had a similar experience many years ago in North Pole, Alaska. I was on the air one evening, 40 meters, when the band went absolutely black all of a sudden. Since that is not absolutely uncommon, I did not think much about it, turned the rig off and went to bed. Next morning when the sun (finally) came up, I looked out and half my dipole was gone. Thinking the worst, I felt somewhat better when I found it on the opposite end of the yard, IN THE MOOSE TRACKS!
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Antenna Sabotage
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by NA7I on August 24, 2009
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I hate to say it, but that really sounds like the modern Emerald City environment, including the 'east-side'. Born there in 1943, I grew up and lived in the Seattle area until 1998. That kind of attitude has been typical of some other large cities, but not Seattle - until about 1970-1980.
I hope you are moving out of the area; we could not wait to get away once I retired. We are glad to be in Montana - and a thin wire here causes no problems even tho we have restrictions, sort-of. We don't miss the traffic either.
jrc NA7I
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WB2NVY on August 24, 2009
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In my younger years I had a Hustler vertical on the back bumper of my brand new 1971 VW Superbeetle. Rig was Heathkit SB-102 w/800vdc B+.(Worked S. Africa on 20m from there once.) Lived in an apartment complex & someone removed the whip & left the nuts & bolts on the ground behind my car. I bought a new whip, and procured a HV 10,000uF cap which I charged through a resistor from my B+ & put it behind the back seat of the VW & connected it across the ant terms, thus providing a low-Z 800v between ant & bumper. (rig disconnected of course). I didn't care if I found a dead body behind my car. . I was sorta looking forward to it. Every morning I checked the cap with a voltmeter to see if it had been discharged. Did this for about a week until I clumsily zapped myself while hooking up the voltmeter. Never did catch the thief.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K7PEH on August 24, 2009
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On preventing theft or vandalism...
Back when I was in college in the mid 1960s, I lived in a private dorm off campus. Over Thanksgiving weekend break, some of the apartments in the dorm were broken into and burglarized.
One of the guys whose room was broken into was a senior engineering student who just happened to be a gung-ho Army and into Army ROTC with plans to graduate with honors as a second lieutenant. He was actually anxious to get over to Viet Nam before the war ended (this was around 1968).
Over Christmas vacation, one of the maintenance crew of the private dorm building was doing his work and found a note on this ROTC guy's door. It warned "Do not enter, there is a bomb on the door". These rooms shared a bathroom with a neighboring room so they checked the neighboring room bathroom access and found a similar note on that door.
The police were called and so was the fire department who entered the room from the window using their ladder fire truck. His room was on the top floor (sixth floor of the building).
The police did indeed find a bomb on the door and had to call in a bomb squad from Portland (nearest big city). Not only was there a bomb on the door that would have killed anyone entering the room but this guy had several boxes of grenades (real ones), lots of ammunition, and a number of weapons in his room.
Yes, he was arrested at his home in southern California the day after Christmas and the last I heard he was going to prison.
Some guys do the dumbest things.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WB8UHZ on August 24, 2009
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Could be squirrels, that has occurred to me more than once and one day looking out I noticed a squirrel biting the line..
73 Tim
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KD7YVV on August 24, 2009
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IF that were the case, the JPole wouldn't be on the
patio either. I do free PC work for the manager
sometimes and we're on very good speaking terms.
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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Antenna Sabotage
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by AD7WN on August 24, 2009
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Squirrels, as the collective evil-doer, is a very plausable answer.
As a consulting engineer, I had reason to visit the Fresno, California CATV system in the 1980s. I saw this strange-looking metal-armored stuff draped over all the CATV system's trunk and feeder cables. When I asked, the local cable operator told me the stuff is called "squirrel guard." Those pesky critters were so persistent that they were seriously damaging the cable system.
It turned out that this armored stuff was sold by Anixter under the trade name, "squrrel guard." A call to a salesman at Anixter revealed that quite a number of cable systems, in various parts of the country had been buying squirrel guard in large quntities.
From the information you were able to furnish, I don't think there is conclusive evidence that squirrels were actually the culprits. But if I had to trot out the usual suspects, those little critters would definitely be in the lineup.
73 de John/AD7WN
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KD7YVV on August 24, 2009
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Shouldn't be too much longer Phil.
I untangled the rest of the mess and pulled it all down.
Got it packed up in a baggie ready for the new QTH.
Shouldn't be much longer. Still though, I do miss
checking into the WARTS Net and talking to the Cousins.
I can still listen on the little receiver in the
bedroom though. That'll have to do until the move.
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KD7YVV on August 24, 2009
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AB4D:
I tend to live by the Amateur's Code.
After the loss of my in-laws (cancer and age) I've come
to the realization that life is indeed too short to
stew on things and plot revenge.
Besides, my taxes pay for police, so I'd rather they
do their job if they catch someone.
Also, you never know what whack-job you'll run into
these days. I can bear to be off the air until I get
to the new QTH, then when I do, anyone on the property
that shouldn't be there will be wearing a nice pair
of shiny nickel plated bracelets, one on each wrist.
I dunno, maybe I can rig something portable out on
the patio to use in the meantime.
It's hard getting the old brain cells started, (they
creak like hell) but once they get going and the
loud squealing stops, I usually come up with some sort
of idea.
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by N3OX on August 24, 2009
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So why do squirrels in some locations chew the heck out of cables, wire, ropes etc, while those in other areas totally leave those things alone?
PVC deficiency?
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by AE6RO on August 25, 2009
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Sometimes the squirrels come indoors to do their dirty work.
A few years ago I was reworking an IF transformer from a Heathkit HW-18 to put it on 60 meters.
I was trying to measure its inductance. Got thirsty so I went to the kitchen for a drink of water.
I was gone for a minute at most. When I returned, the inductance had jumped way up to the point where it could not be used. All by itself, too.
I rewound it as best I could. The receiver works well on 60 meters but I gave up on the transmitter.
73, John
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by AE6RO on August 25, 2009
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I should clarify that the inductance went down;it was the usable frequency that jumped way up.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by AB4D on August 25, 2009
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KD7YYV,
My comments were not meant to imply that it thought you specifically would set a booby trap for someone. I simply wanted to be the voice of reason for anyone who happens to read the article/thread, in contrast to other posters who implied that setting a booby trap may be the thing to do. This is not 1960, the U.S. has changed drastically over the past 40+ years. People will sue another for any reason they can, if they believe there is a dollar in it for them. Just defending yourself can set you back several years of wages.
For those who ever consider setting a trap for someone, think before you do. Once you set the trap, it is out of your control unless you are going to watch it 24/7. The person who is harmed may not be the culprit, but perhaps a passing curious child. Most people, even adults don’t recognize our wire antennas for what they are. Every time I have a person at my home working, I get the same question, What is that?
YYV, I'm sure you can come up with something to get back on the air while you are waiting to move. I've worked other stations using all kinds of inventive antennas, small loops, hamstick dipoles, etc. However, if you are not moving for at least six months, I would put the wire back up in the air. Hope it works out for you.
73
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by AE6RO on August 25, 2009
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I can EASILY understand why a victim of sabotage would want to set a trap for the perp. The morality of it is what should give one pause.
I simply can't believe a squirrel could bite through Copper plated steel wire.
The closest I had to sabotage of an antenna was when I was trying to shoot a wire into palm tree in front of the house. It would have made a nice 160 meter wire. I shot the line over the tree and was about to go out and get it set up.
This dog-walking woman comes along, sees the weight and line on the ground and just starts yanking. She pulled out fifty feet or so from my fishing reel and tangled it up before leaving.
In retrospect, she probably did me a favor. The wire would have passed over my electric utility line, and the palm tree moves around so much in the wind that it wouldn't need a squirrel to cut the wire.
In any event, city tree trimmers did come along finally last year. Would have been hard to explain.
73, John
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 25, 2009
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>"The wire would have passed over my electric utility line,"
In good conscience I have to point something out.
Most people do not fathom the voltages present on electrical distribution lines.
The voltages are so high that the physics of the situation is way beyond the everyday experience or understanding.
Consider that line is probably carrying the POWER for an entire neighborhood, community or town.
Now consider yourself in parallel with that amount of power.
Most victims of power line electrocution aren't merely killed. The corpse is usually disfigured from exploding extremities. The blood boils, turns to steam and the steam ruptures the tissue outwards, violently. It makes quite a mess. Basically it is similar to what happens to a tree when it is struck by lightning. The "sap" boils.
Don't be the sap.
see this article: http://www.eham.net/articles/19745
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K7PEH on August 25, 2009
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In regard to the previous message, watch this video...
http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/5/electrocuted-on-train-736180.html
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 25, 2009
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i've seen it.
that video is very disturbing.
it's hardly better than a snuff film.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K4DPK on August 25, 2009
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Some time back, I had a full-size 80m vertical made of 2 inch tubing, the base of which sat on the neck of a Ginger Ale bottle for an insulator. The neighbors had a Chihuahua dog with an inexplicable habit of relieving himself on the base of that antenna.
Early one morning, I happened to see him doing it and quickly shouted into the mike, “STOP DOING THAT!”
The poor little guy peed all over himself.
Thankfully, there was no permanent damage done, but he found a different privy elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Phil C. Sr.
K4dpk
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K5END on August 25, 2009
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>
"I simply can't believe a squirrel could bite through Copper plated steel wire."
I admire your skepticism.
Do some research on rodent teeth and then do the math, literally.
Compare the hardness of healthy tooth enamel in rodents with the hardness of copper and the hardness of the steel used in the wire strands.
You'll find that a determined squirrel can chew through it without too much trouble.
Not like cutting butter, but he can do it.
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chipmunks
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by W8JN on August 26, 2009
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my steppir vertical stopped working. i traced the control wires and found a 6 inch section that had been torn up. people sabotage? nawwww we have chipmunks. those little critters munched on my wires... c'mon alvin... stop chewing on my wires!!!
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RE: chipmunks
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by AE6RO on August 26, 2009
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The original poster said the wire had been cleanly cut,not chewed.
If it wasn't two-legged squirrels, it may have been those G-force guinea pigs from the Disney movie...73, John
P.S. My antenna would have passed over the drop lines to my house, not the transmission lines. They are also insulated, but with all these powerjaw squirrels running around, why take chances?
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KG4TKC on August 26, 2009
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Squirrels are rodents,and all rodents have certain teeth that grow continuously. They are forced to bite and gnaw to keep those teeth wore down and sharp. That is one reason mice do so much damage,they gnaw to wear and sharpen their teeth. If you ever see a beaver lodge or dam and see the size of the trees they have felled,and the short order they can do it in,you will get a new appreciation of a rodents teeth and the strength of his jaws,,:) 73 KG4TKC
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RE: chipmunks
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by K5END on August 26, 2009
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>"The original poster said the wire had been cleanly cut,not chewed."
A good case for pictures in an article.
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Antenna Sabotage
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by N9AVY on August 26, 2009
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I'd be inclined to go with "squirrels" unless you have proof otherwise. I had real sabotage years ago when my drug-crazed neighbors climed my 80 ft. tower and cut both coax and rotor cables halfways up the tower.
I repaired both by making splices and informed the neighbors that having to splice coax cable will only make interference worse - no more problems !
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K2LCK on August 26, 2009
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well, copperweld is kinda difficult to cut. putting line voltage will expose you to legal action. Best bet is video and then post a single frame on a pole or somewhere with the note "do you know who this is"... Doing anything more will just add you to the game he is playing. You want to scare him away, not get even or expose yourself to legal action...Elsie Kay
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by N0YXB on August 27, 2009
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If you get a photo or video of a vandal in action, report it to the police. I've found that the police are very willing to deal with vandals, trespassers, etc if you have photographic or video evidence. Too many people put up with nonsense when they should be reporting these issues to the police.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by N6HPX on August 27, 2009
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Had a group of squirrels in my back yard for years where my g5rv was hung out and never had a single bit of problem where they did any damages to the antennas, if the wires were old they might have been damaged due to old age. Mine one day I noticed the wires were falling apart from salt air and years of usage. So this could be a problem as well since I never seen your wires it might be some thought there.
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It's a shame we live in a society...
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by KASSY on August 27, 2009
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It's a shame we live in a society where people assume the worst in others.
I've had antennas come down...broken in multiple places, apparently cut with tools, etc. In my own back yard, when I lived in a place where nobody else was within MILES of me.
Yes, squirrels get curious and chew wires.
And I've seen a tree branch fall on a wire and for some reason, the wire broke into several pieces, rather than having just one break.
If you are the sort of person who jumps to the conclusion that someone did it intentionally, then you're going to find life itself to be very frustrating.
- k
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by K4BTC on August 27, 2009
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George,
Great story and I applaud you. I can imagine the satisfaction of watching the "dumb animal" learn his lesson with every tick of the electric fence.
Kudos!
Jeff Bennett
K4BTC
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by W4KVW on August 27, 2009
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I have NEVER had the TREE RATS bother any antennas but they did CHEW DOWN a LARGE "YELLOW RIBBON"(IN HONOR OF OUR TROOPS)that my wife tied around a large oak tree in our back yard & drag it up the tree into their nest.Guess they thought it was pretty or needed some extra padding.My wife did NOT see ANY HUMOR in it & did replace it but this time she attached it with heavy wire to hold it onto the tree & not fishing line as with the first ribbon.
Clayton
W4KVW
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by G3LBS on August 27, 2009
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The saboteurs are usually men. Invite their neglected wives out for a party and give them a reward.
W2/G3LBS
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KD7YVV on August 28, 2009
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Well, I tend to always look for the good in people.
The wire wasn't old at all, a couple of months.
Even if it was squirrels, I still feed them peanuts. :)
The thing is, I live on this ridge, and it's quite
steep in places. When I get to the new QTH, I get to
put up something better. I think I'm just tired of
fighting to stand on the incline. Besides, being off
the air for a while gives me the opportunity to study
more about antennas. I'd like to try building one of
those spider-beams. Those sound fun.
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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Antenna Sabotage
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by KO0KY on August 31, 2009
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Thirty years ago, two years before getting my novice ticket, I had strung up a 100 ft dipole running through a Ten-Tec tuner feeding a Hammarlund HQ145C, a superb listening arrangement. I was in the lower apt in a house. I got permission from the landlord, rented a loooong ladder and put it up.
A week later, I turned on my rig and it was silent. I finally figured out that my antenna was gone! I went outside and saw that the whole thing has been ripped out. Walking around I discovered the neighbors kid playing with my ceramic eggs. He confessed, matter of fact like, that yeah, he tore it down cause he wanted to play with the parts. I immediately took the kid to his parents, to whom he calmly stated that he had done it. The so-called parents said too bad, they could not afford to pay for it. I called the police, and they said they had bigger fish to fry, which is true.
I knew then that the morals in this country were headed south, and I was right. That was in Shreveport, LA. I now live in the country, for this and many other reasons.
John
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Antenna Sabotage
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by N5LRZ on September 1, 2009
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Did you have any antenna restrictions in your lease/rent agreement?
Did you have the permission of the HOA or perhaps the owner to put up your antenna?
Is it possible that the appropriate rental authority and or owner of the property saw the antenna and took it down for you because of above said antenna restrictions?
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KD7YVV on September 2, 2009
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Maybe you missed this in the article:
It was installed 4 years ago with the blessing of the property manager.
The antenna was in an area that really isn't used by
people.
Since I was able to see the whole antenna from my
window, I think I would've noticed anyone down the
hill in the sticker bushes.
The Jpole on my patio is much more visible and I had
permission to put that up as well.
As long as I don't damage anything or permanently attach
(as in screws bolts etc) anything to the property, it's
fine.
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by KD7YVV on September 2, 2009
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KO0KY:
I can understand what you mean about morals etc.
Kids today don't have any.
When I was growing up, you didn't touch what didn't
belong to you. At least that's what I was taught.
Any chance you could take the kid's parents to small
claims court? If the antenna was completely on your
property, maybe you could nail the kid for trespassing
too. That's one thing that burns my buns, parents that
have a "Yeah? So what?" attitude.
Kids today play these video games where they are killed
and then "respawned", hence, no consequences.
Then they go through life thinking the world's rules
don't apply to them.
Did you ever get your antenna re-strung and did the
kid/parents pay for damages?
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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RE: Antenna Sabotage-For Real.....
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by W6EM on September 5, 2009
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And, you think you have problems.
I caught a news piece last night on the evening national TV news where some radio broadcast tower had been toppled by the Environmental Defamation League or some such goofy name. The station had K call letters, so it must have been in the whacky northwest somewhere. Looked as if they just cut some legs and guys and gave it a shove.
The claim by the EDL was that the radiation harmed the wildlife or some such. Look out, folks. When they apply the same standard to us, there may be lots of antenna toppling headlines.
Just restring your wire and be done with it. No, it wasn't squirrels. Their teeth get a bad rap from chewing polyethylene off of service drop wires and the aluminum point corrosion ultimately brings them down, not squirrel teeth.
Lee
W6EM
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RE: Antenna Sabotage-For Real.....
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by K7PEH on September 5, 2009
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http://www.mynorthwest.com/
That link above, if you take it today (Saturday, September 5th, 2009) will show you an article with photos of the antenna destruction that the previous message mentioned.
This happened in our "back yard". By "our" I mean George (the poster of this article) and I (we are neighbors) and when I say "back yard" I mean just 30 miles north.
The antenna destruction was claimed by ELF (Earth Liberation Front). There is still some mystery because this particular radio antenna project had been under several years of court battles for approval to build with all the neighbors fighting the radio station since it apparently blocked their view or claimed the antenna was ugly. Have you ever heard of such an odd thing as someone thinking an antenna is ugly!
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RE: Antenna Sabotage-For Real.....
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by WA2JJH on September 8, 2009
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A real ham knows it is a federal offense to have such an antisocial act done.
I remember the old test for ham and commercial had some question as to when it is OK to take someone off the air.
A CBer or freebander may have a fetish of sticking a nail through a coax. I have heard of such accounts.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage-For Real.....
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by KD7YVV on September 8, 2009
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I did see the story on our local news Phil.
It's such a waste IMHO.
I remember a fire the ELF supposedly started where
5 condos were burned down. Waste of material, extra
pollution in the air, yet the ELF said the condos
were harmful to the environment.
I'm not sure, but I think they got rebuilt anyway.
So basically their creedo comes down to, do as I say,
not as I do. How sad.
In a way it's quite fascinating to me the world of the
21st century. People do what they want, when they want
with no regard for the rights of others.
I dunno, maybe because I'm getting older, I see the world going to hell in a handbasket same way my grandfather did.
About those towers, I'm wondering if the neighbors
did it and blamed the ELF. Even if they didn't, their
problem is solved. With all the DNA technology
around today, I do hope whoever did it is caught.
No matter how careful the perps were, there had to
have been some DNA left behind.
--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA
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RE: Antenna Sabotage-For Real.....
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by WA2JJH on September 10, 2009
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<<<<<The world is goimg to hell>>>>>
It is only natural for men over 40 to think.......Man, my life was 1000X better then today.
1)USA was able to send a man to the moon and had bux to spare to spend on the Vietnam war. There was even money for NIXON to start a "War on Drugs"
Silly really. For the last 5000 years, 10% of the worlds population were addicted to Ethanol or some type of Opium extract, derivative, or Isomer. This is an accepted scientific fact.
2)We had Lafayette Radio elecronics, Olsens, Allied, and radio shack ro get ANY part we needed fast.
3)We were far safer when The US and the USSR had gigatons worth of TNT in the form of small nukes.
Now every sociopathic leader of third world nations will let their people starve. They find developing nukes more exiting :)
4)ENTROPY!!!!!! Entropy states that all matter wants to dissipate into the universe.
Today, we have SOCIAL ENTROPY. (AS WELL AS APATHY)
I feel just like you. I just have to have exlainations so I can accept the future.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage-For Real.....
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by KAISERSOUSE on September 10, 2009
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Those tree huggers that toppled the tower...I'm willing to bet that at least a few of them:
-Have cell phones
-Watch TV
-Listen to the radio
-Have a laptop with WiFi
-Have a cordless telephone
-Coordinated their efforts via FRS or some other handheld radio.
Hypocrites. Every last one of them.
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RE: Antenna Sabotage
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by WA2JJH on September 10, 2009
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<<<<<At the current cost of ammo, they ain't worth a bullet either>>>>>>>
I have a great substitute for you. Ever fire an AEG.
Automatic (high torque dremmel motor allows a pump air gun to shoot plastic pellets(6mm cal.) at 800 rounds er minute!! Velocity is under 600 feet per second.
It is far safer then the old co2 GUNS.
If a person gets hit point blank, he just gets a nasty welt that stings. A BB gun will actually puncture and go thru atleast 5 DERMAL layers of skin. Infections are very common.
The Plastic ammo from an AEG round will barely punture the epidermis. However it aint no toy. They will go straight thru a soda can. The mag holds 300 rounds. Perfect for scaring the heck out of a
perp of you property.
We tried the AEGS on Rats, Pigeons and other pests.
After they are hit with 20 rounds, they are better off dead. So the tradition coup de grace. 2 point blank rounds to back of head severs the spinal chord.
They lookn identical to the M-16,AR-15, hk-5 AND my personal favorite......AK-47 tactical. That one has 600 round mags.
If you got a whole gang of squirrals, 600 rounds will leave them with only soft tissue truama. They will scurry off your property and never return!!!!!!
7
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Antenna Sabotage
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by WM1G on September 16, 2009
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I have a feeling it wasn't the squirrels, that is unless it was a coordinated attack. How did the squirrel hold onto the wire after he bit it the first time to be able to break it in several places?
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