[Elecraft] Antenna wire gauge efficiency

[Vin Cortina]

Paul, I am certain you will get more responses, and since I do not have the 
formulas in my head, I suggest you wait for the more knowledgeable folks to 
weigh in.  However, if you plan on going up into the hundreds of watts, I 
would be thinking in the 14 gauge area.  Personally, my antennas are 12 
gauge, but that was because ...
A) I used it as much for its added strength as for its electrical 
characteristics ( I live in heavy woods)
B) It was the wire I had lots of on hand. (Application of the Cortina 
Economic Applications of Existing Resources)

One more thing I might add is that in case you had not planned on doing 
this, use a system of pulleys (I use marine pulleys) so that as the trees (I 
assume you are erecting the antenna between trees) sway, the antennas will 
give.  If you need more info on this, contact me off list.  I will be happy 
to send you a graphic of how I do this.

Best of luck.


Vin Cortina KR2F

K1-4 s/n:1977
KX1  s/n:1476


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Kelly" <byrddawg at sbcglobal.net>
To: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 10:25 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Antenna wire gauge efficiency


> Hello all. I know this is somewhat off topic, but there is a lot of 
> knowledge here, so I will ask. I am in the process of erecting two wire 
> antennas and wondered, for stealth reasons, how small I can go in  wire 
> gauge for these antennas and still have an effeicient  radiator. I know in 
> general bigger is better and copper glad is  prefereable. I will be 
> running anywhere from QRP to 400 watts. It seems  like I have seen tables 
> in the past that are good general reference  guides for this question. Any 
> thoughts and yes my K2 is a great rig?  Paul NN5G
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com