Topband: Radial wire

[Gary Smith]

I have maybe 45 radials, some of them 
WD-1A. I bought over a mile of CAT cable 
and used it for antennas and radials, 
silver-soldering the wires together & 
attaching them to the plate or coax with 
ring terminals. They worked fine for 
radials, show no wear after around 8 
years. 

I used WD-1A for a couple bi-directional 
Beverages and found the salt marsh with 
tall phragmites dry & blowing in the wind 
set up so much static that it was noisier 
than my then INV-L. At that time I went to 
HI-Z antennas and never looked back. I 
used the WD-1A for new radials, cutting it 
into 130' sections & silver-soldering this 
as well. The WD-1A is only 5 or so years 
old as radials but I see zero issues in an 
acidic salt marsh thus far.

However... As to splitting the WD-1A, 
don't try it, it's a waste of time. You 
have to carefully get the wire split so as 
to not expose the stainless inside and 
then once you finally do get the two 
halves apart and pull them apart, you have 
a pair of snake-like helixes. The abrupt 
bend as they separate makes the helix and 
it will not lay flat. If you were to bury 
it, it'd probably be OK. 

I use WD-1A for antenna wire now, bought 
about 2 miles of it for the future & will 
likely use it in its natural paired state 
for radials when I relocate.

My 2 pence.

73,

Gary
KA1J



> I like to buy copper wire when I find a good deal surplus or otherwise
> and horde it up whenever I need it.
> 
> In following this thread and seeing some folks seeking low cost radial
> wire options got me thinking about WD1A. Anyone have any experience
> with it as radial wire?? There are two wires that should pull apart
> easily and give you a "2 for 1" deal.
> 
> Anywho, just curious if anyone has any experience using it for
> radials?
> 
> 73 Joel W5ZN
> _________________
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>