[CQ-Contest] Vertical Radial wire: Copper vs. Aluminum?

[N6hc]

Also consider if you are near a salt water environment.  Copper holds up better than aluminum.
Arnie




-----Original Message-----
From: Joe <nss at mwt.net>
To: cq-contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Mon, Jun 17, 2013 1:54 pm
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Vertical Radial wire: Copper vs. Aluminum?




Either would work just fine electrically,, 
 
BUT......... 
 
There always is a but isn't there....... 
 
Check your soil,,,, how do pop cans survive in your location. 
 
I use that ALUM wire for all my in the air antennas. But I can not Bury it. 
 
The soil here eats it up alive.  A pop can even with it's paint on the  
outside and coating on the inside if buried here in like 6 months it's  
almost gone. 
 
So that might be a problem. 
 
I had some of that super heavy ALUM ground wire stuff. I mean like 1/4"  
thick stuff? In less than two or three years it was gone. I had it  
buried from an old TV antenna install. 
 
Joe WB9SBD 
Sig 
The Original Rolling Ball Clock 
Idle Tyme 
Idle-Tyme.com 
http://www.idle-tyme.com 
On 6/16/2013 10:59 AM, Robert Shohet wrote: 
> Hi, 
> 
> I noticed an ad in this weeks Tractor Supply co. flyer of 14 ga and 17 ga  
electric fence wire 
> 
> 1/2 mile 17 ga for $24.99 
> 1/2 mile 14 ga for $49.99 
> 
> 1) Is there any advantage in the efficiency of radiation for a vertical  
between using 
> Copper vs. Aluminum wire? 
> 
> 2) Are there any mechanical or other advantages of using Copper vs. Aluminum? 
> 
> 3) Is 17 ga wire thick enough or should the 14 ga be used? 
> 
> I am interested in the radials lasting – the difference in cost is immaterial  
to me. 
> 
> 
> Please advise.  Tnx & 73 
> 
> Happy father’s Day! 
> 
> 
> Bob KQ2M 
> 
> kq2m at kq2m.com 
> 
> www.rlsfinancialgroup.com 
> 
> www.kq2m.com 
> _______________________________________________ 
> CQ-Contest mailing list 
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com 
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest 
> 
> 
 
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