Hi MIke,
My favorite topic.
> Surely an old tired question: What kind of wire is recommended for
> ground radials?
> Gauge, Cu vs. Al, Insulated?
Gauge is virtually unimportant except for how it affects radial life,
because RF current is low in the radials. Number 16 is big enough
for Ham use.
Solid wire outlasts stranded, is much easier to repair after it has
been exposed to a wet dirty environment, and is harder to damage
from soldering.
Aluminum, no matter what soil you have, is more likely to fail from
corrosion.
Copper clad or gavanized steel also has a short life.
Solid copper wire can be bare or insulated, but stranded wires or
poor choices like aluminum benefit from insulation.
Because radial currents are ALL common mode currents, RF does
not flow inside coaxial cables used for a radials (or any other
ground lead). The velocity factor of the cable does nothing,
because without internal RF currents everything inside the shield
does absolutely nothing (Bill Orr needs to learn this).
73, Tom W8JI
w8ji@contesting.com
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