Topband: Optimal radial wire type and gauge?

[Charlie Cunningham]

Hi, Rick

Well, 14 ga stranded wire should be fine for radials - although you might
want to pre-stretch it.

I have occasionally used smaller gauge wire - 16 gauge or even 18 gauge
stranded with black PVC insulation for lower visibility.

Regards,
Charlie, K4OTV


-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Rick
Kiessig
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 9:30 AM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Optimal radial wire type and gauge?

The recent talk about optimizing the number of radials has me wondering
about the optimal type and gauge for radial wire. I've been using #14
stranded, insulated copper, but for no reason other than it's readily
available in 500 ft spools at a decent price. With the cost of copper being
so high these days, is there a better choice? If so, how do we know it's
really better? And is there an easy way to trade off cost vs. effectiveness?
I can't use mesh at my QTH, so I need to stay with actual wire.

 

73, Rick ZL2HAM

 

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