[TowerTalk] radials

[Jim Brown]

On Thu,12/1/2016 11:04 AM, w5jmw at towerfarm.net wrote:
> As long as we are on this subject.What abt wire diameter of the 
> radials.Is there a desired size.Does say #22 work as well as #12. 
> current tarvels on the outside.

In general, using wire larger than #18 is for mechanical strength rather 
than resistance, and even conductors as small as the #24-26 used in CAT5 
cable have been successfully used in large on-ground radial systems 
where there are a large number of radials. If you're installing only a 
few radials, I would consider #18 a minimum size if you plan to run high 
power simply to avoid overheating the conductor near the feedpoint 
(where current is usually a maximum).

I use #14 THHN (ordinary house wire) because I can easily buy 500 ft 
spools at good prices from my local big box store. I would use #18 if I 
could buy it as easily and cheaply. But there is considerable 
convenience in being able to put 4 spools on a rod, and measure off 4 
radials at a time. :)

73, Jim K9YC