[Elecraft] WA3WSJ: Bead-Wire Antenna

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Since RF current flows only along the very surface of the conductor, the
silver plated stuff ought to be very good even if a bit expensive!

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----

Ed,
Some of this stuff is plastic coated steel or stainless steel, similar to a
fishing leader.  This could explain the difficulty in soldering to it.

If it's truly not copper based, I would be concerned about potential
resistive losses for long antenna runs.

Is there a way to determine what material this wire is made from?

Steve
aa8af

> -----Original Message-----
> 
> I received lots of emails concerning my "Bead-Wire Antenna." I've 
> decided to post on the reflectors rather than send out to each 
> Individual op.
> 
> Here's what I did to make my antenna. I went out to my local
> craft store called " The Rag Shop" and bought a 40' spool of 
> flexible bead wire.
> This stuff is very strong, has a clear tough plastic coating 
> over it, but won't take solder. My wire has seven strands to 
> it. It comes on a plastic spool that's about 2.75" in 

_