[Elecraft] Antenna Wire Question - Permanent install...

Fri Apr 23 21:13:01 2004

Used this wire on aircraft for antennas for years!  Also used #18 copperweld
at home for years.  It is weakened by any kinks big time, so be careful
putting it up!  It lasts a long time and is cheap!  Actually #14 copperweld
would be better.  Most of RF field is on first few thousandths of the outer
copper part at HF frequencies.  (Skin effect)  Biggest disadvantage of it
is harder to handle as regards nicks and kinks.  We use to make up
aircraft antennas wrapping the wire back on itself at end insulators
but not cutting off the rest of the "pigtail" but forming it into a 
small 'crank' and twisting it off to avoid nicks which weaken the run of wire.
Once you get the hang of doing it, it is easy.  Our old C-47
Gooney Bird had several fixed antennas on it made of #18 wire.

73,
Sandy W5TVW
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Trevor Jacobs" <[email protected]>
To: "Elecraft Mailing List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 7:24 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Antenna Wire Question - Permanent install...

| Hey Gang,
| 
| Well, walked outside today and found half of the antenna on the ground. We
| had some pretty high winds last night, and it must have whipped the mast
| around enough to break the wire. So, rather than putting the same wire back
| up, I'm thinking that I'd like to use some of the wireman #501 #18 solid
| copper clad steel (30%). Does anyone have any experience with this wire for
| permanent use? I was a little concerned about the weight. Thanks
| 
| 73's Trev - K6ESE
| http://www.qsl.net/k6ese
| 
| 
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