Brand new still wrapped...5000 ft of AWG 20 insulated wire. It is excess to
what I needed for my 80 meter 4 sq and 160 vertical. $170 and I pay shipping
to the lower 48. Pic is on KA9FOX's classifieds.
Bill K4XS
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband -
Bill
Arcing is probably not an issue at least for the 1st couple of years. I
guess at some point 10 years down the road and your bargain wire is
likely not UV resistant rated (?) Over time it will weather and crack .,
running 1.5KW on FT8 you run the risk of setting the grass or leaf
litter
"For whatever weird reason, the price of insulated wire is
nearly always lower than the equivalent bare wire. And
Romex sells for less than the equivalent individual wires."
I agree. I recently picked up a 5000 ft roll of insulated 20AWG for a little
over $100 shipped. Plenty enough to run 30
I just realized that my Beverage wire below was severely stretched. Twice!
That may have shortened its life, and may be the reason why it's so rusty
in many places. (I can't say by how much.)
73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
On Thu, Sep 6, 2018, 12:47 PM Mike Waters wrote:
> ... I have a Beverage made
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2018 15:27:35 -0500
From: Rob Atkinson
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial wire
http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>Rob, Not barbed wire, but electric fence wire. This wire stays good for
>decades. Look at the horse and cattle farms around you. It has the same
>conductivity as your galvanized steel tower. Nor does anyone consider
>making a tower out of copper or copper clad steel.☺ A radial system of 60
>1/4
Roger posted.":but I would emphasize that WD1A is horrible for
bi-directional Beverages as the loss is excessive in the transmission line
mode." Roger that is clearly the case as I have found here the hard way.
I now use the WD1A for single wire Beverage antennas due to its low cost
and
This had worked well for radials in the desert of New Mexico both on the ground
and elevated American FarmWorks Poly Wire, 1320 ft. at Tractor Supply Co.
The conductors are stainless steel and havr about the same ohmic resistance as
galvanized wire
_
Topband Reflector Archives -
Joel W5ZN wrote:
... low cost radial wire options got me thinking about WD1A. Anyone have any
experience with it as radial wire?? There are two wires that should pull apart
easily ...
I use WD1A wire mostly for (single direction) Beverages, but also as radials at
the ends of those antennas.
I have maybe 45 radials, some of them
WD-1A. I bought over a mile of CAT cable
and used it for antennas and radials,
silver-soldering the wires together &
attaching them to the plate or coax with
ring terminals. They worked fine for
radials, show no wear after around 8
years.
I used WD-1A
Rob, Not barbed wire, but electric fence wire. This wire stays good for
decades. Look at the horse and cattle farms around you. It has the same
conductivity as your galvanized steel tower. Nor does anyone consider
making a tower out of copper or copper clad steel.☺ A radial system of 60
1/4 wave
Well, electric fence wire comes in various levels of galvanizing. The
cheap stuff such as RedBrand is class 1 and is galvanized to 0.28 oz of
zinc per square foot. Bekaert Wire 17ga which is 0.80 oz per sq. ft. and
is also available from Tractor Supply. I've never seen any electric fence
wire
I don't know which brand is best, but I think the thickness of the
galvanizing varies. (W8JI said that most "galvanized" steel electric fence
wire is actually cadmium plated, and not zinc).
I have a Beverage made from 17 gauge plated steel electric fence wire
that's been up roughly 8 years. The
: Topband: Radial wire
If you have a Tractor Supply store near you, the price for 1/4 mile of 17
ga. galvanized electric fence wire is $14.99. You can get 1/2 mile roll
for $29.99. Just how long it will last will vary depending on your soil.
However, at that price it is worth a try.
73,
Ken - K4XL
I like to buy copper wire when I find a good deal surplus or otherwise
and horde it up whenever I need it.
In following this thread and seeing some folks seeking low cost radial
wire options got me thinking about WD1A. Anyone have any experience with
it as radial wire?? There are two wires
I just use 2-conductor military field phone wire with the 2 insulated
wires in parallel. There is so little current in each radial (I have
137 radials 100 ft long) that the small partly-steel wire works fine.
The rugged poly insulation should protect the wire forever and makes
zero
Oh man, any time this topic comes up anywhere the guys come out with
all kinds of suggestions for wire that won't last like galvanized
steel and electric fence wire. Nix nix nix...if you want a permanent
ground system go with copper, insulated or not. Stranded doesn't lie
down as well; you want
If you have a Tractor Supply store near you, the price for 1/4 mile of 17
ga. galvanized electric fence wire is $14.99. You can get 1/2 mile roll
for $29.99. Just how long it will last will vary depending on your soil.
However, at that price it is worth a try.
73,
Ken - K4XL
On Wed, Sep 5,
1/4 mile for $30 is reasonable and would work well for radials.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Acorn-International-EFW1714-1-4-Mile-17-Gauge-Galvanized-Fence-Wire/152465194663?epid=4017419194=item237fa23ea7:g:xOMAAOSw4A5YwFca
Herb, KV4FZ
On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 2:00 PM Herbert Schoenbohm <
For a cheap solution for radials is to use buried galvanized barbed wire.
It is available for pennies a foot. A preferred way of putting it in is to
use a is a Ditch Witch with a vibrating plow attachment that allows the
wire to buried with limited handling. Depending on the soil consistency it
Hi Guys
Stay away from aluminum, the aluminum oxide dielectric is a terrible
complication around 2 MHz, it become a capacitor and a diode and will generate
a lot of noise in presence RF currents.
There is no way to avoid the diodes at the connection with different materials,
like at the
Interesting source. The 5356 alloy would be the best choice for radial
wires since the 5xxx series are of a corrosion resistant aluminum
alloy. 5052 is the usual alloy for boat hulls in salt water.
OTOH, it seems the cost of 14ga THHN, the fact that it will last
forever, and that it is
s lays flat.
> >
> >
> >
> www.wireandcableyourway.com/14-awg-thhn-stranded-building-wire-500ft-or-2500ft-spool.html
> >
> >
> > 73
> > Frank
> > W3LPL
> >
> > - Original Message -
> >
> > From: "Jeff Drau
; Frank
> W3LPL
>
> - Original Message -
>
> From: "Jeff Draughn"
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Sent: Tuesday, September 4, 2018 11:36:54 PM
> Subject: Topband: Radial wire
>
> I’m looking for suggestions for radial wire that will lay as flat as
> po
On 9/4/2018 8:53 PM, K9FD wrote:
Beware .. in some soils the aluminum wire disappears in a short time,
In ILL had aluminum wire down and it just corroded away and left nothing
Agreed, but if your soil permits, it works. YMMV.
I did try to obtain insulated aluminum wire but could
not obtain
Beware .. in some soils the aluminum wire disappears in a short time,
In ILL had aluminum wire down and it just corroded away and left nothing
but lot of noise as the "joints" went bad.
Merv K9FD
On 9/4/2018 4:36 PM, Jeff Draughn wrote:
I’m looking for suggestions for radial wire that will lay
On 9/4/2018 4:36 PM, Jeff Draughn wrote:
I’m looking for suggestions for radial wire that will lay as flat as
possible. I realize that’s probably what everyone is looking for, however
See: http://www.alcotec.com/us/en/products/tie-wire.cfm
Rick N6RK
_
Topband Reflector
On 9/4/2018 4:36 PM, Jeff Draughn wrote:
I’m looking for suggestions for radial wire that will lay as flat as
possible. I realize that’s probably what everyone is looking for, however
I once ordered some dead soft pure aluminum wire
and it was as soft as "butter" :-) Even softer
than
[mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Draughn
Sent: Tuesday, September 4, 2018 6:37 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Radial wire
I’m looking for suggestions for radial wire that will lay as flat as possible.
I realize that’s probably what everyone is looking
On Tue, 4 Sep 2018 18:36:54 -0500
Jeff Draughn wrote:
> I’m looking for suggestions for radial wire that will lay as flat as
> possible. I realize that’s probably what everyone is looking for,
> however I have used the wire from the big box stores THHN etc. and it
> always has that permanent
o: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 4, 2018 11:36:54 PM
Subject: Topband: Radial wire
I’m looking for suggestions for radial wire that will lay as flat as
possible. I realize that’s probably what everyone is looking for, however
I have used the wire from the big box stores THHN etc. and it
I’m looking for suggestions for radial wire that will lay as flat as
possible. I realize that’s probably what everyone is looking for, however
I have used the wire from the big box stores THHN etc. and it always has
that permanent curl to it or permanent for a good long while.
Anyone know of
Paul,
I got a good deal on stranded teflon wire. It cost me $0. I lay it on the
ground. The only issue I have with it is that the wire is stranded and it wicks
in moisture. Teflon is easily nicked and the moisture finds it's way in.
You mentioned your wire is solid so you should not have that
A while back, I specifically asked K3LC whether there was a significant
difference electrically between tying radials to a buss in a 4 square or just
letting them overlap. To my surprise, Al said that the modeled antenna gain of
the overlapping radial system was slightly greater than that of
>"The reason is that the standard DA ground system as far as I know, has
always involved strapping radials to a copper strap running along the line
of radial intersection, clipping off the radial wire that runs past the
strap."
Unless there's modeled or measured data, that's the "conventional
>> I have researched Laport's material, and find nothing that compares
multi-tower array performance when using insulated radial wire versus
uninsulated wire when using a bus wire at the radial overlap points. Since
his worked in the 1950s mostly focused on directional broadcast tower arrays
--
Dan and all...
I am in the middle of constructing 4-squares for 160m and 80m. One element
of each array is up and operating. A decision must be made concerning the
layout of Teflon-insulated radial wire and whether to run a bus wire/strap
at the intersection of overlapping radials. It may not
Hello
Thinking in a 4 SQ, buried radials, 60 or more on each vertical
What is the difference in performance between installing radial wire size
#14 (2.08 mm2) or #17 (1.04 mm2) ?
#14 is the size that DXE sell, so I think is a good size for radials. But
what about #17?
In $$$ is the
-
CX6VM
Sent: 15 April 2015 12:11
To: 'topband'
Subject: Topband: radial wire size
Hello
Thinking in a 4 SQ, buried radials, 60 or more on each vertical
What is the difference in performance between installing radial wire size
#14 (2.08 mm2) or #17 (1.04 mm2) ?
#14 is the size that DXE sell
The only real difference when using reasonable-gauge sizes is in physical
durability. Electrically it makes little difference since you effectively have
a large number of radials in parallel so each one carries only a relatively
small percentage of the overall current in the system.
I use 18
blocks.
73
Frank
W3LPL
- Original Message -
From: Bill Wichers bi...@waveform.net
To: Jorge Diez - CX6VM cx6vm.jo...@gmail.com, topband
topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 2:27:01 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: radial wire size
The only real difference when
To: Jorge Diez - CX6VM cx6vm.jo...@gmail.com, topband
topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 2:27:01 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: radial wire size
The only real difference when using reasonable-gauge sizes is in
physical durability. Electrically it makes little difference since
you
Asunto: Re: Topband: radial wire size
I just saw on eBay a 3' piece of barbed wire dated 1878 for sale for
$9.78 which comes up to $3.26 per foot! I guess this stuff gets more valuable
with age like some good Uruguayan wine.?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Antique-3-foot-piece-of-Barbed-Wire
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 2:27 PM
To: 'Herbert Schoenbohm'; topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: radial wire size
Really? They are selling that? I can find tons of this, let me know if
someone interested hi hi hi
-Mensaje original-
De: Topband [mailto:topband-boun
-Mensaje original-
De: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] En nombre de Herbert
Schoenbohm
Enviado el: miércoles, 15 de abril de 2015 03:07 p.m.
Para: topband@contesting.com
Asunto: Re: Topband: radial wire size
I just saw on eBay a 3' piece of barbed wire dated 1878 for sale
On Wed,4/15/2015 8:43 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote:
Corrosive soils may damage a buried radial system.
I agree that mechanical durability and environmental factors are the
limit on the size and type wire for both radials and antennas.
In my limited experience, the use of insulated wire
...@contesting.com] En nombre de Herbert
Schoenbohm
Enviado el: miércoles, 15 de abril de 2015 01:06 p.m.
Para: topband@contesting.com
Asunto: Re: Topband: radial wire size
From Home Depot
$64.98 / roll
FARMGARD 1320 ft. 12-1/2 Gauge 2-Point Class I Barbed Wire
http://www.homedepot.com/p/FARMGARD-1320-ft
disappear because of the corrosion
73,
Jorge
-Mensaje original-
De: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] En nombre de Herbert
Schoenbohm
Enviado el: miércoles, 15 de abril de 2015 01:06 p.m.
Para: topband@contesting.com
Asunto: Re: Topband: radial wire size
From Home Depot
On your mention of Silver solder, do you mean typical circuit board silver
solder or the real silver solder, such as used on copper tubing in high
pressure refrigeration systems?
I used the real silver solder to solder 3/8 copper tubing to Stainless
Steel Ground rods below ground level.
I use
: Topband: Radial Wire
On your mention of Silver solder, do you mean typical circuit board
silver solder or the real silver solder, such as used on copper
tubing in high pressure refrigeration systems?
I used the real silver solder to solder 3/8 copper tubing to
Stainless Steel Ground rods
Where to buy KappTecZ in USA?
This link:
http://www.kappalloy.com/products-solder.php
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
On 6/26/2014 2:24 PM, Bill Wichers wrote:
You can get solid thhn. Some codes even require it, but it is much less common.
I've seen Home Depot stock it before.
Solid #12 and #14 THHN on 500 ft spools is stocked by every Home Depot
and Lowes store I have visited. They even offer a discount
...@audiosystemsgroup.com
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 6:42:03 PM
Subject: Topband: Radial Wire
On 6/26/2014 2:24 PM, Bill Wichers wrote:
You can get solid thhn. Some codes even require it, but it is much less
common. I've seen Home Depot stock it before.
Solid #12 and #14
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 2:17 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial Wire
iwc2carl on ebay is my favorite supplier of bulk wire. He's very reliable,
consistently less expensive (including shipping) than the retail stores
and
electrical wholesalers, ships in a few days and you can't beat
You bet it is! Those prices are the best I've seen in some time.
73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
On Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 2:55 PM, Carl k...@jeremy.qozzy.com wrote:
Good link Frank, thanks.
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
I'd use their dog wire because it has PE insulation.
Mike N2MS
- Original Message -
From: donov...@starpower.net
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:17:06 - (UTC)
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial Wire
iwc2carl on ebay is my favorite supplier of bulk wire. He's very
per reel plus ten dollars for shipping.
73
Frank
W3LPL
- Original Message -
From: Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 6:42:03 PM
Subject: Topband: Radial Wire
On 6/26/2014 2:24 PM, Bill Wichers wrote:
You can get solid thhn
Solid will generally hold up better regarding corrosion, but stranded holds up
better if subjected to mechanical stress. Solid is also easier to solder
properly, imho. Pick the type best suited to the area your radial field is in.
If your radial field gets walked on frequently then stranded is
] On Behalf Of
donov...@starpower.net
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 2:17 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial Wire
iwc2carl on ebay is my favorite supplier of bulk wire. He's very reliable,
consistently less expensive (including shipping) than the retail stores and
electrical
with heavy foot traffic by herds of white tail
deer.
73
Frank
W3LPL
- Original Message -
From: Gary K9GS garyk...@wi.rr.com
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2014 1:24:20 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial Wire
Frank,
Thank you very much for this source. I
: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 10:05 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Cc: garyk...@wi.rr.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Radial Wire
Hi Gary,
I've used bare 14 AWG solid bare copper wire with good success in shallow
buried radial systems. It would be a poor choice in corrosive soil (my heavy
clay soil
Thank you very much for this source. I was just looking this week for
wire prices. I want to buy quite a lot for next summer's antenna project.
The nice thing is he's close enough I'll probably pick it up and save
shipping.
BTW...any thoughts on solid vs stranded? I do like to use
Tom,
On your mention of Silver solder, do you mean typical circuit board silver
solder or the real silver solder, such as used on copper tubing in high
pressure refrigeration systems?
I used the real silver solder to solder 3/8 copper tubing to Stainless
Steel Ground rods below ground level.
Jim
Thanks for all the great information. I appreciate your experience.
My current installation is in the woods, not in a clear field. I,
unfortunately, won't have the luxury of burying the wire. I'll have to
lay it on the surface with staples holding it down.
Not much foot traffic to contend
I use 3 raised radials ~ 135 feet long of #22 ga. solid wire.
used for dog perimeter control and is un-tinned copper
covered with green plastic. The wire is about 11 feet
high to keep it out of the way in the common property
woods area of multi building condos and will be taken
down when the
On 2/25/2014 9:45 AM, Jim F. wrote:
Would going to 16 ga. increase the radiated antenna
current X times ?
Not enough to matter, but it certainly would not hurt. For next year,
though, I would try to use more radials. Having them elevated is good,
and elevating them even more is better.
73,
You could use the 18 gauge insulated stranded CCS (Copper Clad Steel) wire that
Davis RF and The Wireman sell. The PE jacket is a matte black color and not
very visible from any distance away. It's pretty strong too, and not very
expensive. I use it a lot for wire antennas.
I'm amazed your 22
- Original Message -
From: AA8R - Notebook a...@aol.com
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2013 9:33 AM
Subject: Topband: Radial wire in bulk
Hi all,
Can anyone suggest a good online resource to purchase wire in bulk? I am
in
the process of laying down a radial system
Hi all,
Can anyone suggest a good online resource to purchase wire in bulk? I am in
the process of laying down a radial system for a 160m Inverted L.
Randy, AA8R
_
Topband Reflector
Consolidated Electronic Wire and Cable http://www.conwire.com/ sells bulk
quantities of solid copper tinned wire, available in many AWG sizes. Prices
seem to track copper commodities prices.image that.
73, Terry K4RX
___
UR RST IS ... ...
I think I asked something similar last fall , but , circumstances changed and I
couldn't do anything about it at the time...
So , here I am again looking for a source of radial wire I was thinking of
either going with K2AV's FCP or a radial field If i go with the radials I
was thinking
You really do not need stranded wire. Bare solid wire is typically used
for grounds. and while the standard of 120 radials spaced 3 degress is a
well known standard for ground systems, it is very rare in amateur
radio. Anything beyond 12 1/8
I use #14 stranded THHN wire from Home Despot because it's easy work work
with.
Dave WX7G
On Jun 5, 2012 9:23 AM, W2XJ w...@nyc.rr.com wrote:
You really do not need stranded wire. Bare solid wire is typically used
for grounds. and while the standard of 120 radials spaced 3 degress
On 6/5/2012 9:08 AM, DAVID CUTHBERT wrote:
I use #14 stranded THHN wire from Home Despot because it's easy work work
with.
I've used a lot of #14 THHN solid because it's cheaper than stranded,
and find it no more difficult to work with than stranded wire. I would
love to use #18, but have
Also check what might be available from the Wireman. I picked up
a 5000 ft spool of twin-lead (#18?) from them a couple years ago
for $100. It was a bit of a job splitting it, mainly from the
tendency to twist when pulling the insulation apart in the
middle. However, cutting to the desired
Dan is looking for radial wire.
I've been lucky to find spools on sale at the local Big Box stores. Another
source, again if you watch for sales, is 14-2 awg w/ground NM Romex type cable.
Run an inexpensive Romex splitter over it and you have 750 feet of radials from
a 250
On 6/5/2012 9:57 AM, jcjacob...@q.com wrote:
Another source, again if you watch for sales, is 14-2 awg w/ground NM Romex
type cable.
Yes. I just did that with a 25 ft piece of #10-2 Romex to build some
loading coils. The big box store didn't have any #10 solid.
73, Jim K9YC
and then there's the 6000 ft spool of insulated, tinned #16 that I found
at the Dayton flea market for $20. It'll probably outlast me.
73, Pete N4ZR
The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at
Hi Dan!
I use #12 solid solid copper THHN house wire - around here Menards has
the best price, HD has gotten very expensive in the last year.
I strip the insulation off with a little jig I made utilizing an
imbedded utility knife blade. I like the direct copper to soil DC
contact rather than
-- EnCase Certified Examiner ---
-Original Message-
From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Jim Brown
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 11:18 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: radial wire source
On 6/5/2012 9:08 AM
I buy 5,000 foot reels (which is the minimum order from my supplier) of
18 awg solid copper wire from a local wholesale wire supply house. You
should be able to get most electrical supply houses to order that for
you. My local shop I've worked with for years, they specialize in
communications and
On 6/5/2012 2:08 PM, Lloyd Berg N9LB wrote in part:
I like the direct copper to soil DC contact rather than laying insulated wire
on/in the ground. Also the solid bare copper wire won't leach away into the
soil for 40-50 years.
Never bury bare stranded wire because it disintegrates way too
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