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Topband: Wire size at base of 160M inverted L

To: topband reflector <Topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: Wire size at base of 160M inverted L
From: N4ZR <n4zr@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 25 Dec 2019 13:16:15 -0500
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
I'm wiring up a relay to be used to open the feedpoint of my 160M inverted L. My intention is to have it connect the feedpoint to the transmitter when the relay is activated by PTT and open the circuit on receive.  I will be running 1500 watts.
My question is this how heavy does the wire need to be between the 
antenna side of my common mode choke and the relay, or between the relay 
and the feedpoint? The relay is rated at 16 amperes continuous, 30 amps 
switching.  I've been told that current rather than voltage is the issue 
at the base of a quarter-wave.  My normal instinct would be to use 
something like No.12 or 14 wire, but the terminals on the relay are 
roughly the diameter of #18 wire, and the center conductor of the common 
mode choke (wound with RG-400) is similarly small, so would the heavy 
wire be overkill?

--

73, Pete N4ZR
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