RE: Getting Antenna Wire through Straw
I use a piece of music wire pushed down through the tube. Then use dental floss to attach the antenna wire. Wrap the dental floss around the end of the music wire 10-12 times, then leave a 2"-3" piece of floss, and wrap the floss around the antenna wire 10-12 times. Then pull the wire back through the tube. The floss is thin enough to fit inside of the tube even wrapped around the music wire and the antenna wire. The loops will hold as you pull it back through.
Hope this helps
Ken