[TowerTalk] galvanized radial wires

[rt_clay at bellsouth.net]

I think that in principal galvanized wire can last a long time, but how long is mostly determined by the quality/thickness of the galvanizing coating. I have also noticed that bits of EHS guy cable can be dug up after years in pretty good shape.

I have also used galv. electric fence wire for Beverages. The first time I unroll the wire, it lasts in the air a long time without rust. Then I added a second wire to make a 2-wire beverage. The new wire is fine, but the older one (only in the air a few weeks longer) is now very rusty in spots. It seems that when I temporarily untensionsed and dropped the first wire in the process of adding the second, many cracks in the coating were created allowing it to rust very quickly.

Tor
N4OGW

>From: "Lee Buller" <k0wa at swbell.net>
>To: "TowerTalk Reflector" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:13
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] galvanized radial wires
>
>
> I've used galvanized radial wires as well.  I used electric fence wire (18
>gauge) and found that after a year....some if it was gone.  I cut a slit in
>the ground with a "sharp-shooter" and put the wire in the ground....not on
>the ground.  The wire had rusted and disappeared.  I do not do this any
>more.