[Elecraft] RE: zip cord as antenna wire

[Stuart Rohre]

Not at all Peter.  The effect of wire insulation on single antenna wire is
only to shorten the needed length to be a half wave resonant wire.

The losses in zip cord vary all over the place because so many differing
insulations have been used.

Look for clear insulation which is the least likely to have something that
conducts or introduces loss.
Black cord historically was made with carbon black color, and would not be
as good a choice for example.

Certainly the PVC insulations are OK.  Our club has made many antennas with
them from Hook up wire.
72,
Stuart
K5KVH