[TowerTalk] Has anyone every put up a V-beam?

[Patrick Greenlee]

OK, Ken... here is the standard disclaimer....  Ignore what I say but 
listen carefully to what I mean.

Aluminum coated steel wire sold for electric fence wire will take 
considerable tension and works pretty good for antennas.  Not as 
"perfect" as copper but not as expensive by a long shot.  I think the 
160 meter kit by Hy-Gain for use on their Hy-Tower (the 160m kit with 
the 40m trap) is aluminum coated steel wire.

Patrick        NJ5G

On 9/17/2015 6:50 AM, Ken wrote:
> Patrick,
>
> Okay.  You just said aluminum fence wire. I've used that for fencing 
> and it stretches pretty bad.  Steel core, aluminum coated would be 
> different although myself I would go with copper coated (copperweld 
> type).
>
> 73,
> Ken WA8JXM
>
> On 9/17/15 7:15 AM, Patrick Greenlee wrote:
>> Aluminum coated steel wire is commonly used for electric fences. 
>> Although proper practice is to install it with low tension (as per 
>> vendor and MFG) that is not because of any failing in the wire's 
>> strength or resilience. It can take significant tension and last a 
>> good long time.  One issue is the skin effect.  Your lowest frequency 
>> of interest will penetrate into the wire to the greatest depth. You 
>> will get better performance if your skin depth does not exceed the 
>> thickness of the aluminum outer layer.  I cant quote the formula for 
>> skin depth from memory but it is readily available.
>>
>> There has been a lot of this aluminum coated steel wire used for 
>> antennas with good success.
>>
>> Patrick        NJ5G
>>
>> On 9/17/2015 5:46 AM, Ken wrote:
>>> Aluminum fence wire stretches easily under load.   It needs to be 
>>> supported every ten feet or so, not ideal for long wire antennas.  I 
>>> won't even use it for electric fences ;-)
>>>
>>> Ken WA8JXM
>>>
>>> On 9/15/15 3:45 PM, dw wrote:
>>>> I think I'll pick up some aluminum fence wire at Lowes tonight on the
>>>> way home from work. 
>
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