[TowerTalk] Metals prices drop through floor

[Rob Atkinson]

The recent world financial crisis has resulted in a dramatic slowdown
in construction projects world-wide.  Motor vehicle sales have dropped
causing a production slowdown and these two factors have decreased the
demand for steel, aluminum and copper.  The result of this has been a
markedly lessened demand for raw metals globally causing a price drop
over the past three weeks of 60% for steel, and 25% for copper and a
corresponding decrease in value for aluminum.   For radio people this
is good news in two ways:

1.  Scrap metal values have tanked.   Theft of exposed "opportunity"
metals such as feedlines, radials, and strap should decline once
thieves realize they can no longer get very much money for stolen
scrap metal.

2.  Consumers should start to see the raw metal price drop show up in
lower prices for communications hardware by the time antenna project
season rolls around next year.

73,

rob / k5uj