All wire antennas need one or more insulators between the antenna wire and the support lines. In the early days of radio, mostly ceramic egg-insulators were used, and they are still available. Due to temperature changes and the use of copper antenna wire , the glaze cover of these ceramic insulators can become crackled and rain and air pollution reduce the insulation and strength. The RF Systems egg-insulator is made of black, high density poly-ethylene. This material is UV resistant and don't looses its strength within the - 50 C to + 80 C temperature range. HDPE is a little bit greasy, with as result that (polluted) rainwater and snow do not adhere to the insulator. The form of this egg-insulator is designed in such a way, that ridges form a long leak path between the antenna wire and the support wire. The greatest advantage of the egg-insulator is its strength. Compared to the "dog-bone" type of insulator, the wire tension results in a pressure force in the egg-insulator instead of a pulling force. The RF Systems egg-insulator can handle more than 600 kg wire tension! This makes it possible to use them not only in antennas, but also in guy wires. The dimensions are 40 x 75 mm and its weight is just 40 Grams.
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