[TowerTalk] Al wire

[Howard Hoyt]

Hi All, and Happy New Year!

On Dec 30, 2010, at 5:33 AM, Jack wrote:

> >  Would this work?
> >  
> >  http://www.tractorsupply.com/electric-fencing/electric-fence-wire-poly-tapes/electric-fence-wire/aluminum-electric-fence-wire-14-ga-1-4-mile-3600867
> ,
We use miles of that exact stuff and the 9GA size here on our horse farm.  It is very soft and stretches like the dickens, which is exactly why we use it: if a horse slides into it will not cut into and "glove" their leg as will the High Tensile Strength Steel stuff.  The Aluminum wire is so soft and stretchy (though not elastic at all) that under tension and with temperature cycling, I have to re-tension the fence wires every few months with ratcheting tensioners to keep them taut.  If I don't keep them tight, they droop, the fence charger is shorted out and I end up cajoling a horse who has escaped which is not my idea of a good time.

I would think they would work for elevated radials under low tension, but most definitely not for a center-fed dipole.

My $0.02 worth.

-- 

*Howard Hoyt - WA4PSC*

*CE - WXYC-FM 89.3*

*UNC Chapel Hill*

*www.wxyc.org*