I agree with Tom, W8JI. Also, the recommendation which I have had for years,
also shared by W1CF (silent key) and W1FC who mastered Colatchco, and Jim,
K4SQR of Comtek Systems (Phased Array switching), has been a #16 bare radial.
I've sold that for years and also that's exactly what I use on my 80 m
4-Square. # of radials: The three aforementioned folks and I have agreed
that up to 120 max, then no benefit. If you start with, say 15 or 30, then
double each addition of radials, you obtain noticeable improvement, again,
up to 120. My bare #16's have been out there for 15 years; no detectable
deterioration and #16 is easy to lay and work with. Cheers, Steve, K1PEK
DAVIS RF Co.
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DAVIS RF Co., Commercial wire/cable, RF connectors, custom cable design.
Discounts to hams..........BURY-FLEX ? low loss HF-microwave HDPE coax;
....FLEX-WEAVE? aerial wire. Registered trademarks of Davis Associates, Inc. .
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1-800-328-4773 (1-800-DAVIS RF). PRICE LEADERS OF LMR, HELIAX, RFS.
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In a message dated 2/26/99 11:20:08 AM EST, w8ji@contesting.com writes:
<< 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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