OK, Ken... here is the standard disclaimer.... Ignore what I say but
listen carefully to what I mean.
Aluminum coated steel wire sold for electric fence wire will take
considerable tension and works pretty good for antennas. Not as
"perfect" as copper but not as expensive by a long shot. I think the
160 meter kit by Hy-Gain for use on their Hy-Tower (the 160m kit with
the 40m trap) is aluminum coated steel wire.
Patrick NJ5G
On 9/17/2015 6:50 AM, Ken wrote:
Patrick,
Okay. You just said aluminum fence wire. I've used that for fencing
and it stretches pretty bad. Steel core, aluminum coated would be
different although myself I would go with copper coated (copperweld
type).
73,
Ken WA8JXM
On 9/17/15 7:15 AM, Patrick Greenlee wrote:
Aluminum coated steel wire is commonly used for electric fences.
Although proper practice is to install it with low tension (as per
vendor and MFG) that is not because of any failing in the wire's
strength or resilience. It can take significant tension and last a
good long time. One issue is the skin effect. Your lowest frequency
of interest will penetrate into the wire to the greatest depth. You
will get better performance if your skin depth does not exceed the
thickness of the aluminum outer layer. I cant quote the formula for
skin depth from memory but it is readily available.
There has been a lot of this aluminum coated steel wire used for
antennas with good success.
Patrick NJ5G
On 9/17/2015 5:46 AM, Ken wrote:
Aluminum fence wire stretches easily under load. It needs to be
supported every ten feet or so, not ideal for long wire antennas. I
won't even use it for electric fences ;-)
Ken WA8JXM
On 9/15/15 3:45 PM, dw wrote:
I think I'll pick up some aluminum fence wire at Lowes tonight on the
way home from work.
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