[Elecraft] Antenna wire gauge efficiency

[Vic K2VCO]

Paul Kelly wrote:
> 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.

As long as it is strong enough to stay up, the wire gauge won't affect 
the efficiency too much with a full-size antenna.  For example, I ran 
EZNEC for a dipole at 40 feet with no. 12 and no. 28 (probably too weak 
to stay up long) copper wire.  The difference in gain was only 0.24 DB!

If you have a shortened antenna, the effect is greater.  A half-size 
dipole showed a difference of 0.76 DB.  And really small antennas like 
small loops would show much greater effects.
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco