Re: [TowerTalk] RADIAL WIRE

[Red <RedHaines@centurytel.net>]

Hi, Mike;

Regarding using aluminum wire for radials:

Aluminum is attacked by alkalinity in the soil, whereas, iron is 
protected somewhat by alkalinity.  Some operators report fair service 
using steel electric fence wire for radials.  I haven't tried the fence 
wire.

I bought a spool, several thousands of feet, of #13 magnet wire 
recovered from a transformer for not much money a few years ago and have 
been using that.  Don't connect copper directly to either aluminum or to 
galvanized steel.  I tie it to aluminum ground plates under the antennas 
with stainless steel bolts and ring terminals, so that copper never 
touches the aluminum.  I use No-Ox or Ox-Gard and replace it annually on 
all the connections.

I don't work real hard at it.  I mow the grass short and pin the radials 
to the ground with 'half staples' made of #16 steel wire from a farm 
supply store.  I cut it into 4-5 inch lengths and bend a short hook on 
one end using two nails held in a vise for a fixture.  I'm careful about 
snagging any of the radials until the grass grows over them, and after a 
year, have never snagged one.  It took a few hours to bend them and pin 
nearly 6000' of radial wire under one of my antennas (antennae?).  I 
surveyed the ends of the radials with a tape from the center and a stick 
from one end to the next, to space them evenly, and I recall that took 
about as much time as putting down the radials.  Maybe I'm an amateur 
surveyor!

73 de Red

MIKE GREENWAY wrote:

> Thanks for all the input.  One comment on the aluminum wire.  I put out
> aluminum that was 14 gauge and in a year or two it had started turning
> brittle and just crumbled up.  A lot of work laying all of that out was a
> waste of time.  73 Mike K4PI
>
>  

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