Despite the high cost of copper, there are still affordable sources of copper
radial wire. For example, 16 AWG speaker wire can be purchased on eBay for
$52.25 per one thousand feet including shipping within the U.S.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/THE-WIRES-ZONE-SW16-1000X-16-GAUGE-1000-FT-SPEAKER-WIRE-HOME-CAR-BLUE-/160851382663?pt=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item25737d5187
Its not difficult to separate this "zip cord" speaker wire to produce 2000 feet
of wire, that's affordable radial wire at 2.6 cents per foot. One minor bit of
caution, the wire separates more easily at room temperature. The insulation
hardens a bit in cold weather, increasing the effort to unzip it.
Speaker wire is N O T suitable for antenna construction, its has inadequate
tensile strength. But it works great for radials.
73
Frank
W3LPL
---- Original message ----
>Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2013 20:16:23 -0800 (PST)
>From: Dennis W0JX <w0jx@yahoo.com>
>Subject: Topband: Price of Copper Going Up
>To: topband@contesting.com
>
>For those of you planning on putting in big ground radial systems, you might
>want to buy your wire sooner than later. Either that or hedge your cost by
>investing in copper futures! See link below:
>
>http://seekingalpha.com/article/1160971-kevin-puil-4-lb-copper-is-on-its-way
>
>73, Dennis W0JX/8
>_________________
>Topband Reflector
_________________
Topband Reflector
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