[TowerTalk] stranded copperweld wire - reports please

[Pete Smith]

At 06:45 PM 12/20/03 +0000, Barry wrote:

>Avoid stranded copperweld!
>
>A number of years ago, I built a bunch of lowband wires using this
>stuff (purchased from Wireman).  Within 2-3 years it all broke.  What
>happens is the strands rub against each other as it sways in the
>wind, abrades the copper off, exposing the steel core, then it rusts
>and breaks.  Never again!
>
>Yes, solid copperweld is tough to work with, but I've never had it
>fail.

I've also been quite happy with #14 THHN.  I have used it in my 80m array, 
under very considerable tension, for 5 years now with no failures.  I did 
reinforce the wire loops at the insulators with split bolts, out of concern 
that soldering might have caused the copper to weaken.


73, Pete N4ZR
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