[UK-CONTEST] What type of antenna wire to use?

[Mike Harris]

Hi Stewart,

Here by the sea I've only used multi strand pvc covered wire.  1.5mm sq. 
or 2.5mm sq. the stuff that is used in conduit.  Someone had a clear out 
and chucked some part (nearly full) reels on the rubbish tip.  The thing 
to be careful of is relieving the strain at the transition from half 
element to feeder.  However, wind fatigue might not be a problem at your 
QTH.

We used bare seven strand cad/copper stuff on the big TX Rhombics (1100ft 
long), it took shrapnel in '82 to chop 'em down.  Spliced with the old PO 
type wrap splice.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stewart Rolfe" <gw0etf at btinternet.com>
To: "UK Contest Reflector" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 3:14 PM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] What type of antenna wire to use?


| I'm about to replace my 102 foot doublet with something a bit longer fed
| with nice wide spaced feeder better able to handle a bit of power cf the
| 300 ohm slotted ribbon on the present set up.
|
| I plan to use a continuous wire for each top leg and feeder arm so
| cutting out connections at the feed point. Unless I can find a huge old
| transformer to rip apart like I did for the present antenna I will have
| to buy wire but I'm not sure whether to go for multi-stranded pvc
| covered stuff or the 'normal' hard drawn single core variety. I wonder
| if anyone would like to share any ideas and/or opinions on 
this......thanks.
|
| -- 
| 73, Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF