[NJARC] Coil Wire Questions

[Scott Roberts]

A question for the R-F coil gurus-

I am getting ready to build a couple coils I need to ressurect a BC-348-P Dynamotor assembly, and I am trying to ascertain exactly the wire I need. The description of the coil, actually an r-f choke(part no. 301 or 302- I think there is a mis-print in the manual) describes it as " 300 turns #30 single silk enameled wire". Does "Single Silk" perhaps mean "Single Strand", as opposed to multiple stranded? Makes sense to me... I have a very nice spool of #30 which is almost as old as the radio, and in great shape, which I cold use if this is the case...

Also the description states "Universal winding 3/16" thick" I am assuming when I wind it, by hand is acceptable, as long as it is neat and tight? 

At the beginning, should the bottom most strand be wrapped under the rest of the coil to hold it in place?(i.e: the initial section is laid parallel to the center axis of the coil, and the wire then wrapped around, and over, the initial section, for the full depth of the winding)

And the other coil I need to make is listed as "75 turns #15 AWG enameled, layer wound" Is #15 AWG available? I don't remember hearing about anything other than even size gauges before...

Thanks!
Scott