[TowerTalk] Rising copper prices lead to rising cable prices

[Bill Coleman]

On May 10, 2006, at 10:45 AM, Barry wrote:

> The US penny (pre-1982.  Post-1982 is copper plated zinc) is now worth
> about 2 cents in copper.

The copper alloy pennies are about 2.6 grams and ring nicely when  
dropped (like a bell). The copper-coated zinc pennies are 3.1 grams  
and land with a dull thunk when dropped.

Curiously, you can't tell if a 1982 penny is copper alloy or coated  
zinc without weighing it on a sensitive balance, or dropping it and  
listening for the ring or thunk.

Zinc and Nickel prices have risen, too, although not quite as  
dramatically as copper.

I wonder if we'll see the return of the Zinc-plated Steel pennies  
(like from 1943).

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901