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Re: [TowerTalk] radials

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] radials
From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Reply-to: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2016 11:24:27 -0800
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
On Thu,12/1/2016 11:04 AM, w5jmw@towerfarm.net wrote:
As long as we are on this subject.What abt wire diameter of the radials.Is there a desired size.Does say #22 work as well as #12. current tarvels on the outside.

In general, using wire larger than #18 is for mechanical strength rather than resistance, and even conductors as small as the #24-26 used in CAT5 cable have been successfully used in large on-ground radial systems where there are a large number of radials. If you're installing only a few radials, I would consider #18 a minimum size if you plan to run high power simply to avoid overheating the conductor near the feedpoint (where current is usually a maximum).

I use #14 THHN (ordinary house wire) because I can easily buy 500 ft spools at good prices from my local big box store. I would use #18 if I could buy it as easily and cheaply. But there is considerable convenience in being able to put 4 spools on a rod, and measure off 4 radials at a time. :)

73, Jim K9YC
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