Hi;
Now that I got started, I am using a r8 for 40/6 meters which unfortunately 
requires support ropes.  The ropes that came with the antenna don't seem to 
be very durable.  When they broke at the roof things were easily fixed. 
When they broke at the antenna, however, repairs were more difficult.  A non 
ham friend did some repair but unfortunately the "iron clad" rope he used 
did indeed have a metal cable in it which didn't help the swr.  I'm thinking 
of changing the ropes before the weather gets bad but I don't want problems 
in January.  Although the current arrangement hasn't done good things for 
the swr a tuner has for the moment solved my problems so I am a bit 
undecided if I should just leave well enough alone or are there some other 
options out there worth considering.
Richard