[ARC5] Antenna wire beads

Wed, 6 Nov 2002 12:24:13 -0800

Hello,

The wire that was used was solid AN-W-106A antenna wire that has a
copper coating over a steel core. The steel core was needed for the
strength as this wire had to hold up under flight loads. This is the
same wire that was used on the trailing wire antenna systems. 

I have seen original WWII navy aircraft that have used a braided wire,
which had a textile core for strength, on external antennas.

The AN-W-106A wire had small washers soldered on the ends to hold the
beads in place so they wouldn't slip. I have collected several examples
which show this method and I believe that this was a standard practice
as defined by an Air Corps/Army Navy specification although I haven't
found the spec yet. I have several production drawings from various
aircraft manufacturers that show the methods used to make the lead in
and terminations with the AN-W-106A wire. Even though the production
drawings are from different manufacturers they show the exact same
methods which lead me to believe that they were taken from a government
spec. If anyone happens to find a copy of the spec please let me know as
I am itching to see it... It occurs to me that anyone who is "itching"
to see some old Air Corps spec should probably seek professional help...

My Beech RC-45J has what must be one of the last ARC-5 installations and
it used regular aircraft wire with IN-88 insulators mounted in Adel
cushion clamps. It seems that the beads dropped out of favor shortly
after WWII.

I have a small supply of the wire available if anyone needs some. 15
cents a foot but if you only need a few feet just send me your address
and I will mail some to you. 

Thanks,

Taigh Ramey

VINTAGE AIRCRAFT
7432 C.E. Dixon Street
Stockton, California 95206
209 982 0273 Hangar
209 982 4832 Fax
www.twinbeech.com
KEEP 'EM FLYING...FOR HISTORY

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Clarence M. Owens
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 9:40 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ARC5] Antenna wire beads

I have purchased a number of bags the beads in anticipation of someday
setting up a display of Command Sets and/or liason sets, once I obtain
some
more accessories and connectors.  Since the bags have WW II dates and
the
beads are somewhat yellowed I suppose they are the the older, smaller
beads.  I have some questions about their use.

First, what type of wire was used, solid or stranded?  I can think of
reasons for using and for not using each kind.

Second, In the pictures I have in a B-24 manual reprint and in some
pictures I have found on line, it appers that the beads were stopped a
short distance away from thoes round nosed ceramic standoff insulators.
The beads I have will fit through the holes in the standoffs I have.
The
standoffs look like they are the right ones; I purchased 10 of them from
C&H.  Finally the question(s):  Why did they not run the beads through
the
standoffs and how did they keep the beads in place, away from the
srandoffs?

Third, were the beads used on the Command Set receiver antenna wiring or
just where the transmitter RF was present?

Thanks,

Clare  N2RJB

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