I suspect that there is a good chance that folks who report being able
to highly tension aluminum wire are using aluminum coated steel wire
such as is used for electric fences. It works fine and lasts a long time
in antenna service.
Patrick NJ5G
On 9/17/2015 10:02 AM, dw wrote:
Thanks Ken,
I didn't realize the aluminum stuff would stretch.
They have it at lowes for electric fence wire, so I was assuming the
stretching would be pretty much identical to steel wire.
I can use steel wire and braze connectors onto it.
Maybe that would be a safer bet that aluminum.
Do they make a copper coated electric fence wire?
I do have copperweld type wire for building wire antennas, but wasn't
sure I would use it for this project.
Don't think I have enough to do both sides.
So I thought electric fence wire would be quick and easy.
Duane
On Thu, Sep 17, 2015, at 04:50 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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