"QRV" HF antennas made by AntennasWest, Box 50062 Provo, Utah 84605.

DESCRIPTION: 
The center strain insulator in my typical QRV is a small Lexan matrix
inside a weatherproof housing made from a half-inch PVC plumbing Tee. 
The Lexan carries the weight of the feed line as well as the tension 
of the wire elements. That PVC housing had a 1.5" eyebolt at the top 
for vertical support, screwed ALL the way in. Oops!

PROBLEM: 
This eyebolt was installed by drilling and tapping deep through the 
PVC shell, *AFTER*  interior components were in place!! The tools cut
into the Lexan insulator edgewise. The insulator was weakened, and 
some strands of antenna wire were cut. That wire shorted to the eye-
bolt. No nut was used inside the shell, so the full vertical strain 
was on the threads in this soft material; they eventually stripped. 
The resulting sudden tug broke the weakened Lexan insulator as well 
as the damaged element wire, and down came the antenna.

PREVENTION: 
You need to take the strain off that small chip of (possibly damaged) 
Lexan. Simply use a large compression-type egg insulator, attach the 
antenna wires to it to take the pull, and put the "plumbing" on TOP of
the egg. Run the twin lead down through a slot in the egg if there's 
room, but observe polarity to keep like conductors adjacent where it's
a close fit.  Also, now for sure, you will need to provide vertical 
center support, but NOT WITH THAT EYEBOLT which may strip out; use a 
good piece of rope. (My repair job was done this way, except that I 
eliminated the eyebolt completely and sealed the hole. Recommended!)

REMARKS: 
Jim Stevens KK7C and his crew at AntennasWest take pride in turning 
out quality products, and they stand behind them. If you have seen 
anything like the above I suggest you notify Jim.  
......73s  Allan  W6MEO @ WD6CMU.#NOCAL.CA     26 January 1991
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