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Reviews For: Vari-Ten Tensioners - Models 20-50 & 30-100

Category: Antenna parts, accessories, incl. baluns, hardware, etc.

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Review Summary For : Vari-Ten Tensioners - Models 20-50 & 30-100
Reviews: 3MSRP: $69.50
Description:
Vari-Ten Tensioners prevent wire antenna damage when support trees get whipped by the wind or loaded with ice. A Tensioner is a rugged spring loaded antenna shock absorber and calibrated wire tensioner that is easy to install on the antenna support halyard. They hide in the tree top canopy or can be mounted vertically or on an angle at ground level. They will automatically control wire sag and tension on any type of antenna… dipole, doublet, Windom, G5RV, Carolina Windom, OCF, inverted L, long wires, etc. Installation and tension adjustments are done from the ground with no need to climb the support tree. Two basic models are available. Model 20-50 has a variable tension range up to 50 lbs and Model 30-100 has a range up to 100 lbs. Each basic model has a “reciprocal” mate that can optionally be used as a second unit in a two Tensioner installation. Two Tensioners will double the tree sway displacement distance and make a very rugged and stable antenna installation. The web site has a video clip of a Tensioner working in high winds. Product is in stock, ready to ship.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.antennatensioner.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0035
K1PHI Rating: 2014-09-08
This is a great product. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have a two Tensioner installation using a Model 20-50 and a “reciprocal” Model 20-50-R.

My antenna is a 40m dipole fed with 450 ohm ladder line with a fairly heavy center insulator adding to the overall weight
antenna is supported by two large pine trees
Tensioners are adjusted to 25 lbs tension which minimizes the wire sag.

The Tensioners have performed as advertised and protected your antenna during Hurricane Arthur. Theantenna probably would have fallen down without them.

It was easy to install and adjust the tension with the calibration markers. There is a great web site (antennatensioners.com) with lots of helpful application information.

It is a great product.
W1EBI Rating: 2014-09-05
Excellent solution Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have eleven wire antennas, including several parallel dipoles with common feedlines. All the antennas are installed in trees with marine pulleys and polyester rope halyards. I have previously used bungee cords to provide tension and a degree of tree-sway protection, but the new Vari-Ten products are a far more elegant solution. I use the 30-100 model on dipoles fed with fairly heavy 400-type coax. These tensioners allow greater tension in the support lines, but with the safety of variable force and a "soft stop" feature. An excellent and very professionally-made product.
W4USR Rating: 2014-09-02
outstanding product Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Finally I am able to put up one of my favorite wire antennas without the fear of it coming down in the next heavy wind storm. Many time I find one of my prized sloper antenna on the ground after strong winds and storms. The pine trees swaying and then snap down comes the 40 meter sloper. I purchased a new Vari-Ten wire antenna Tensioner last March at the Charlotte Hamfest. When I saw the display I stopped in my tracks and reached for my wallet. A solution to my sloper antenna problems. The Vari-Tenensioner will allow the sloper to flex with the weather conditions and allow me to keep hamming another day with the mighty sloper. Check them out on the web. Great solution to keeping wire antennas up in the trees.

Thanks to the good folks at Vari-Ten for a useful great antenna accessory product.
Dennis Had W4USR