Topband: Deployable radials for 80/160M - Summary

[rich kennedy via Topband]

Thanks to all who have responded, both to this reflector and to me directly to my question ("... is #22 wire suitable for ~90' deployable radials ...")

1.  Most recommend that unless there is some type of animal, person, or vehicle traffic that would potentially cross back-and-forth across the radial field that a #22 wire, especially insulated, should be OK.  A few reported using a lighter gauge wire (#24 on down) with success.  Wire size isn't a critical electrical variable in an installation such as mine (approx 40 wires).

2.  If one is concerned about #1, then #20 or #18 should be your minimum.  

3.  Most, but not all, seemed to have purchased their radial wire from salvage, surplus, ham fests, thrift stores, etc.  There seems to be multiple online sources (I google searched "surplus #22 wire") for all variations of wires (and wire from CAT 5 cable) suitable for radials.

Regarding the question ("...spooling out radial wires, then re-spooling them in the spring ..."):

1.  Wire 'flexibility' seems to be the concern - how easy is it to un-spool the radials, then to re-spool them without generating a tangled mess.  If possible, wire insulation or jacket material should be examined and tested prior to the purchase.  Know what you are buying.

2.  Many users of deployable radials have purchased garden hose reel systems or an extension cord reel (a rotary wheel type device in a sturdy frame with a handle) - either the large (~2' x ~2') hose/cord variety or the smaller handheld reel/cord types.  

3.  Several users like to tie the individual radials in a sequence, one to the next, and twisting together the ends, for both deployment and re-spooling so that there is one long continuous piece of wire.  One or two users built 'packages' of 2, 4, or even 6 wires all in parallel, especially where the radial lengths are nearly identical.  If one has radial wires of multiple length, then he/she may want to consider color-coding the wire groups of different lengths (or using a spray paint the ends) to 'label' them  for next seasons lowband operation.

Apologies to those whose valid suggestions may have been left out of this summary.




73, Rich, K3VAT