[SEDXC] Need wire

[Mike Greenway]

Tom is right on the aluminum in or on the ground.. I have put #14 down in 
the past and even with a sheath on it and it only lasted a year or so.  It 
turned to aluminum oxide, just a white power.   I usually use anywhere 
between #16 and #20 stranded or solid copper with a sheath on it.  Whatever 
I can get cheap.  I have used some #22 but don't like to do that.  Nothing 
large is needed as the current is small in each one.  Personally I would not 
use steel wire for radials if you want a good system.  73 Mike K4PI

-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom W8JI
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 6:11 PM
To: Rich Arland ; W5JR - Mike ; wb4sq at yahoo.com
Cc: South East DX Club
Subject: Re: [SEDXC] Need wire

Cadmium coated steel fence wire (the common type) or zinc coated steel fence
wire lasts about 1-5 years in contact with soil. Aluminum in the same range,
depending on the soil and wire and what it connects to. The biggest problem
I have with aluminum is breaking or eating away in spots.

I did a test installation of aluminum fence wire about 3-4 years ago and it
is about half gone. Only the radials up in normally dry dirt are good.

If you want radials that last for years, better use solid copper. I'd take
20 gauge soft drawn solid copper over any type of steel or aluminum. I use
number 16 solid copper.

> I was just in my local ACE hardware. A 1/2 mile of #18 electric fence wire
> is $35 plus tax!! Aside from the free aluminum wire I offered you, this is
> the best deal so far!!
>
> GL
>>
>> For "on the ground" under the leaves in the back 40, I just bought a 500'
>> spool of house wire at HD. I cut it into 8 lengths, 62.5' each. The next
>> season, I did it again. Hal's idea of using CAT5 for 4000' is a great
>> idea for several to go in and split the cost. Also, W4GA has used CAT5
>> for the wire he built his elevated 40m vertical with. Lots of
>> possibilities.

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