And for a cheaper source of staples, I make my own from
galv. electric fence wire from Farm N Fleet. It's about
$12 for 1/4 mile for 14Ga and $17 for 1/2 mile for 17Ga;
makes a lot of staples. Phil KB9CRY
> > Hi-
> > I have tried looking through archives for the answer, and got frustrated.
> > Can anyone recommend a source for radial wire for vertical antennas. I
> have
> > seen prices ranging from $21.00 to over $40.00 for 1000 feet.
> > Scott C.
> -----------
>
> Hi Scott,
>
> I've found that #14 PVC insulated copper wire from Home Depot in 500' rolls
> is about the best value out there. It's $12.77/ 500' = about 2.5 cents/ft.
>
> I like the black SOLID #14 wire best, as it's easier to strip and solder
> interconnections to. The heavy stuff will not break easily after frost
> heaves, animal digging, lawn mower snags, etc.
>
> As for the woods problem, just get a 10' aluminum pole and drill a hole in
> one end. Tie one radial wire to it with the main spool freely positioned at
> the tower on a holding rod of some kind. Push the pole thru the brush and
> leaves with your foot. Easy.... and it gets under the leaves, with radial
> wire out of sight. Use short heavy wire staples bent into a "U" to hold
> the radials down until the grass, etc grows over them and pushes them into
> the dirt.
>
> I put down 15 miles of radials last Spring on my lawn and at this time they
> are all invisible....now down into the dirt - just by stapling them down
> after a close mowing job.. Since the wire is sealed, should last a long
> long time, even in nasty soil conditions.
>
> 73,
>
> Tom, K1JJ
> CT
>
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