[Milsurplus] Antenna wire

Fri Sep 29 11:21:20 EDT 2023

Gang,

Nice stuff if you can find it.  I've been using WD-1/TT field-phone wire 
for my portable antennas.  It's insulated, strong, and reasonably flexible.
If Fair Radio is still in business, they'll sell you a manageable 
amount.  Otherwise folks want you to buy it by the mile.  Keep in mind 
it's two pair so you can separate them.

My end-fed half-wave is featured on this page: 
http://www.mrca.ar88.net/Old%20Pages/Net/11-11-2010.html

73,
Al

On 9/29/2023 11:04 AM, B. Smith wrote:
> That Gibson Girl wire also used on the AT-984/G "Fishing Reel" antenna.
> I use it on my larger fishing reel for my half wave antennas, I mark 
> the wire with a small solder blob at designated half wave lengths just 
> reel it out and feel for the solder points.
> https://www.prc68.com/I/AT984.shtml
> K4CHE
>
>
> On 9/29/2023 9:34 AM, Paul Thekan wrote:
>> Jim
>> Mike beat me to it with identifying the wire as phosphor bronze..I 
>> was just getting my tea then.
>> I think Jim your thinking of the reel of that wire as used on the 
>> 'Gibson Girl' SCR 578 survival radio that was used on aircraft during 
>> WW2 and beyond.  I think it was 20 gauge or smaller and used to 
>> attach to a balloon or kite to get it aloft.
>>
>>  The antenna company  I had worked for TCI used this wire on all 
>> their portable field antennas and of course a heavier gauge stranded 
>> wire . I'm guessing a more tempered wire than what Mike had used .
>>   I have a " field portable' wire Rhombic 2 -30 mhz antenna and 90 ft 
>> of aluminum tower that  I got from them and it uses this wire.
>>
>> Ive found it makes great antenna wire for portable use .
>>
>> Good luck on your project
>> Paul
>> N6FEG
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 5:49 AM Michael Hanz <aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org> 
>> wrote:
>>
>>     I seem to recall Radio Shack selling this type of "antenna wire",
>>     which is perhaps more properly called "phosphor bronze".  I have
>>     never found a record of any such wire used with aircraft
>>     equipment (my peculiar interest) back in the HF days.  The roll
>>     of Radio Shack stuff started sagging almost immediately every
>>     time I tried to use it, which is why I quickly shifted to the
>>     Copperweld type that the Services used.  The link below mentions
>>     that the "...electrical conductivity of phosphor bronze is about
>>     15% that of pure copper."  That may or may not be of any interest
>>     to you.
>>
>>     https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/metals-metal-products/all-about-phosphor-bronze-strength-properties-and-uses/
>>
>>     Good luck,
>>     - Mike  KC4TOS
>>
>>     On 9/29/2023 4:33 AM, Jim Pruitt wrote:
>>>     Can someone tell me what the antenna wire is called that is
>>>     milsurplus and as often obtained on fly fishing rods.  It was
>>>     military antenna wire and was about #22awg I think (might have
>>>     been as big as #18 but no bigger).  It is/was a bronzed copper
>>>     woven copper stranded wire.  I posted the same question on
>>>     another list but was told to use copperweld (I hate that stuff)
>>>     or to buy some stainless steel wire (even worse).  The wire I am
>>>     looking for is for temporary portable operation as a dipole or
>>>     two or three.  Yes I could just buy a couple rolls of insulated
>>>     wire to make this antenna but had some of the bronzed wire in
>>>     the past and it would be ideal for the operation I have planned.
>>>
>>>     Thank you.
>>>
>>>     Jim Pruitt
>>
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-- 
ARK Sig Block Al Klase - N3FRQ
Jersey City, NJ
http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/
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