Topband: radial wire size

Wed Apr 15 13:47:59 EDT 2015

Hi Herb

Local price:

#17 $16,65 per 100 mts (328ft)
#14 $30,32 per 100 mts (328ft)

Not problem with thief actually at the farm, but will be very bad if after 2
years the radials "disappear" because of the corrosion

73,
Jorge

-----Mensaje original-----
De: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] En nombre de Herbert
Schoenbohm
Enviado el: miércoles, 15 de abril de 2015 01:06 p.m.
Para: topband at contesting.com
Asunto: Re: Topband: radial wire size

 From Home Depot

$64.98 / roll
FARMGARD 1320 ft. 12-1/2 Gauge 2-Point Class I Barbed Wire
<http://www.homedepot.com/p/FARMGARD-1320-ft-12-1-2-Gauge-2-Point-Class-I-Ba
rbed-Wire-317821A/202025609> 

Model # 317821A

On 4/15/2015 11:53 AM, Herbert Schoenbohm wrote:
> In AM broadcast installations the use of buried copper wire (bare) 
> smaller than #10 is considered unacceptable.  Here in the Caribbean 
> cooper thieves have found radios stations a good source for black 
> market copper wire and some stations replace thier systems with barbed 
> wire which is harder to steal but very difficult to install. Depending 
> upon the soil the ability to last more than a few years he use of such 
> a solution is very questionable.
>
>
> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
>
> On 4/15/2015 11:43 AM, donovanf at starpower.net wrote:
>> Hi Jorge,
>>
>>
>> Bill is almost correct, in most soils mechanical durability is the only
>> consideration for long term durability of copper wire, but out of sight
>> out of mind can be a big problem for radial systems in at least two 
>> cases.
>>
>>
>> Galvanic corrosion will damage a buried radial system i f small (or 
>> large!)
>> electrical currents flow from the shield of your coaxial cable into 
>> your radial
>> system. Of course, small diameter wire will fail more quickly than 
>> heavier
>> wire. This is not a trivial consideration because in many 
>> installations the
>> buried radial system has significantly lower ground resistance than any
>> other ground in your home or in your station. You can determine if 
>> this is a
>> problem in your installation by using a milliammeter (or a common VOM)
>> to check for shield current.
>>
>>
>> Corrosive soils may damage a buried radial system. Fortunately most 
>> soils
>> are not corrosive for copper but there are important exceptions, some
>> examples are:
>> - soils with large quantities of organic matter,
>> - poorly drained soils such as wetlands,
>> - soils with a history of heavy agricultural use with farm animals or 
>> fertilizers
>> - soils containing materials such as cinders or cinder blocks.
>>
>>
>> 73
>> Frank
>> W3LPL
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: "Bill Wichers" <billw at waveform.net>
>> To: "Jorge Diez - CX6VM" <cx6vm.jorge at gmail.com>, "topband" 
>> <topband at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 2:27:01 PM
>> Subject: Re: Topband: radial wire size
>>
>> The only real difference when using reasonable-gauge sizes is in 
>> physical durability. Electrically it makes little difference since 
>> you effectively have a large number of radials in parallel so each 
>> one carries only a relatively small percentage of the overall current 
>> in the system.
>>
>> I use 18 gauge bare solid copper on my radials. I use that size since 
>> I consider it a practical minimum in terms of physical durability and 
>> I can get it for around $50/thousand feet from my supplier (although 
>> they have a 5,000 foot minimum order). I've had some 60+ radials in 
>> place for about 4-5 years without any problems. Once the copper turns 
>> a dull-brown color after the first season it's almost impossible to 
>> see on the ground.
>>
>> A lot of people use 14 gauge since that's a commonly available size 
>> for building wire in the US. It's easy to get through "regular" 
>> (hardware store) channels and it's strong. There isn't really any 
>> electrical advantage to the heavier wire -- you won't notice any 
>> difference in performance.
>>
>> I think you'll be fine with the #17 wire you have access to. Save the 
>> money on the smaller radial wire and spend it somewhere else where it 
>> will make more difference in your overall antenna system.
>>
>> -Bill
>>
>>> Hello
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thinking in a 4 SQ, buried radials, 60 or more on each vertical
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What is the difference in performance between installing radial wire 
>>> size
>>> #14 (2.08 mm2) or #17 (1.04 mm2) ?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> #14 is the size that DXE sell, so I think is a good size for 
>>> radials. But what about
>>> #17?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In $$$ is the half J, so want to know what I am loosing in 
>>> performance, if any
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Jorge
>>>
>>> CX6VM/CW5W
>>>
>>>
>>>
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