[TowerTalk] Wire for prop pitch?

[Grant Saviers]

I just bought a quarter mile of bare solid Al electric fencing wire for 
elevated radials, 13 gauge for about $55 for 1320ft.  It is available in 
11.5 to 18 gauge, check Amazon and ag supply stores. The good USA made 
wire is available at 38,000 psi tensile strength, so is as strong as 
soft drawn galvanized steel.  It should last a long time in the air for 
open line or elevated radials, buried radial life depends a lot on soil 
chemistry.  End connections can be made with Al/Cu compatible terminals 
and I add some Al compatible conductive grease for insurance, eg 
Noalox.  The electrical panel multi-screw grounding strips are good for 
connecting radials to grounding plates, as noted by others.

Grant KZ1W


On 12/5/2012 11:11 AM, Rick Karlquist wrote:
> Frank wrote:
>> Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>> #4?  Is that a typo?  Seems a little bodacious for open wire line.
>> Weight should be okay since it is aluminum.
> No.  I originally had the shack 1000 feet from the low
> band vertical.  It's nice to have 0.1 dB loss over 1000 feet
> of line on 160 meters.  They don't really sell aluminum much
> smaller than #4.  The light weight is great for suspending
> it.  I have been extremely pleased with this line.
>
> BTW, 5 inch spacing gives me 450 ohms. You have to account
> for the XHHW insulation.  Adds about an inch to the spacing
> vs bare wire.
>
> Rick N6RK
>
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