[Antennas] Need a bit of wire advice

[Don Havlicek]

Comments inserted below:

IamSF5@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Hi Gang,
> I have a lot of 14 GA unsulated wire for an antenna that is ready to go up.
> But after looking at the 15-M antenna that has only been out in the weather
> for a summer it sure loks cruddy.

What kind of wire is it?  Copper, copperweld, aluminum, steel....?????

> I get this bare strand wire for free but how will all the built up crud
> affect it?

If you put up pure copper wire, it will oxidize [green crud], but, that
will not affect the ability to 'radiate' or receive, provided the
connections or soldering is well-done.  Pure copper stretches, however.
Copperweld is better [steel-core, with copper surface], as it will not
stretch appreciably, though it has a tendency to 'kink' while being
worked with.  It will last many years, IF the surface is not broken
during handling/soldering.

> RS has # 14 insulated wire in a 100 foot spool at $21.95 and on the spool it
> says indoor/outdoor.
> The color is brown and not as easy to spot.
> So use the bare wire or insulated?

Insulated wire doesn't guarantee anything.  The insulation will make it
'look pretty', but water egress under the insulation will cause the same
problems you mentioned above, you just won't 'see' them!  Besides,
insulated wire is heavier and will, therefore, have greater 'sag' for a
given length.
I have used four types of antenna wire:  bare-stranded, copperweld,
insulated, and enameled.  My personal preference is copperweld, which I
have had upu for many years in a single stretch of over 400' without
much sag [#18 copperweld] because the steel core allows MUCH tension. 
Second is the enameled, because it 'looks good' as you seem to desire. 
Third is the bare, stranded wire, because it is so easy to solder and
maintain [even if it gets 'cruddy'].  Last is the insulated wire because
of the 'hidden' problems that can occur.  The amount of water that
can/will enter the ends of the insulation can cause large 'sag' problems
.. including breakage due to over-tension.

Just my thoughts on your question!
73
Don - N8DE

> Thanks
> Bob
> WA2HOQrp <tm>
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