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Re: Topband: radial wire size

To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: radial wire size
From: Herbert Schoenbohm <herbs@vitelcom.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2015 14:06:49 -0400
List-post: <topband@contesting.com">mailto:topband@contesting.com>
I just saw on eBay a 3' piece of barbed wire dated 1878 for sale for $9.78 which comes up to $3.26 per foot! I guess this stuff gets more valuable with age like some good Uruguayan wine.☺

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Antique-3-foot-piece-of-Barbed-Wire-Barb-Wire-Barbwire-Bobbed-Old-/121567131845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4df738c5


Herb, KV4FZ

On 4/15/2015 1:47 PM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote:
Hi Herb

Local price:

#17 $16,65 per 100 mts (328ft)
#14 $30,32 per 100 mts (328ft)

Not problem with thief actually at the farm, but will be very bad if after 2
years the radials "disappear" because of the corrosion

73,
Jorge


-----Mensaje original-----
De: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces@contesting.com] En nombre de Herbert
Schoenbohm
Enviado el: miércoles, 15 de abril de 2015 01:06 p.m.
Para: topband@contesting.com
Asunto: Re: Topband: radial wire size

  From Home Depot



$64.98 / roll
FARMGARD 1320 ft. 12-1/2 Gauge 2-Point Class I Barbed Wire
<http://www.homedepot.com/p/FARMGARD-1320-ft-12-1-2-Gauge-2-Point-Class-I-Ba
rbed-Wire-317821A/202025609>


Model # 317821A



On 4/15/2015 11:53 AM, Herbert Schoenbohm wrote:
In AM broadcast installations the use of buried copper wire (bare)
smaller than #10 is considered unacceptable.  Here in the Caribbean
cooper thieves have found radios stations a good source for black
market copper wire and some stations replace thier systems with barbed
wire which is harder to steal but very difficult to install. Depending
upon the soil the ability to last more than a few years he use of such
a solution is very questionable.


Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ

On 4/15/2015 11:43 AM, donovanf@starpower.net wrote:
Hi Jorge,


Bill is almost correct, in most soils mechanical durability is the only
consideration for long term durability of copper wire, but out of sight
out of mind can be a big problem for radial systems in at least two
cases.


Galvanic corrosion will damage a buried radial system i f small (or
large!)
electrical currents flow from the shield of your coaxial cable into
your radial
system. Of course, small diameter wire will fail more quickly than
heavier
wire. This is not a trivial consideration because in many
installations the
buried radial system has significantly lower ground resistance than any
other ground in your home or in your station. You can determine if
this is a
problem in your installation by using a milliammeter (or a common VOM)
to check for shield current.


Corrosive soils may damage a buried radial system. Fortunately most
soils
are not corrosive for copper but there are important exceptions, some
examples are:
- soils with large quantities of organic matter,
- poorly drained soils such as wetlands,
- soils with a history of heavy agricultural use with farm animals or
fertilizers
- soils containing materials such as cinders or cinder blocks.


73
Frank
W3LPL







----- Original Message -----

From: "Bill Wichers" <billw@waveform.net>
To: "Jorge Diez - CX6VM" <cx6vm.jorge@gmail.com>, "topband"
<topband@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 2:27:01 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: radial wire size

The only real difference when using reasonable-gauge sizes is in
physical durability. Electrically it makes little difference since
you effectively have a large number of radials in parallel so each
one carries only a relatively small percentage of the overall current
in the system.

I use 18 gauge bare solid copper on my radials. I use that size since
I consider it a practical minimum in terms of physical durability and
I can get it for around $50/thousand feet from my supplier (although
they have a 5,000 foot minimum order). I've had some 60+ radials in
place for about 4-5 years without any problems. Once the copper turns
a dull-brown color after the first season it's almost impossible to
see on the ground.

A lot of people use 14 gauge since that's a commonly available size
for building wire in the US. It's easy to get through "regular"
(hardware store) channels and it's strong. There isn't really any
electrical advantage to the heavier wire -- you won't notice any
difference in performance.

I think you'll be fine with the #17 wire you have access to. Save the
money on the smaller radial wire and spend it somewhere else where it
will make more difference in your overall antenna system.

-Bill

Hello



Thinking in a 4 SQ, buried radials, 60 or more on each vertical



What is the difference in performance between installing radial wire
size
#14 (2.08 mm2) or #17 (1.04 mm2) ?



#14 is the size that DXE sell, so I think is a good size for
radials. But what about
#17?



In $$$ is the half J, so want to know what I am loosing in
performance, if any



Thanks in advance



73,

Jorge

CX6VM/CW5W



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