Paul et al,
what you want is called " C Rural Wire" unlike drop wire it has a solid PVC
insulation and is so strong it can be used to tow a small truck. It has 2 #14
copper clad steel wire about 1/2 inch appart. The Telco has a special tool to
split the wires appart but you dont really need it. Today when cleaning out my
old shed I found a roll of at least 500 ft plus several 100-200 foot pieces. I
intend to use this wire as the basis for my two wire beverage (elevated at 7 or
8 ft) to be installed this summer.
The drop wire which you are talking about has both rubber and cloth insulation
and although it looks nearly identical the C rural wire is far superior and
appears to have less losses because the rubber abrades away and the cloth wicks
up water after a while. In todays world it is getting harder and harder to get
the telco's to give even scraps away so I intend to use what I have. Besides
much of the cable around here are burried these days.
Jim WA3MEJ
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:09:40 -0400
From: N1BUG <paul@n1bug.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Fw: Deterring Critters was:Re: How Good is Good
Enough?
To: ZR <zr@jeremy.mv.com>
Cc: Mike & Coreen Smith <ve9aa@nbnet.nb.ca>, topband@contesting.com
Message-ID: <4F5F2AF4.7060707@n1bug.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> But you want it insulated. Id suggest #18 Copperweld with a PVC lacket. A
> PITA to unravel and hold in place but should be up to the task.
The stuff the telephone company uses for drops here is 2 x #18
copperweld with very thick insulation (not sure what material). It
is made like zip cord and is easily separated into two single
insulated conductors. It can sometimes be had for free if you look
around. 25 years ago I used the stuff to make my first BOG. It was
cut in several places by neighborhood kids, but when cleaning up my
property and laying radials 2 years ago I pulled up the sections of
it. There had been no critter damage over the years.
Paul
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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