Hi Tom,
I have used all types of wire in all different sizes. #12 is best but #14
works well too. I prefer stranded but have no
problem with solid. I use coated wire only as it prolongs life (less rust) and
is quieter than bare wire. #16 is too
thin for surviving ice and wind.
In 2008, before becoming seriously ill, I planned to build an 80 meter
4-square and use 120 radials. That meant that
I had to find a LOT of wire that would not rust away in the wet and acidic New
England soil.
Typical ham radio sources of wire were cost-prohibitive, even for 5000’ and up
of wire. So I decided to look at
non-typical sources and I discovered that you can negotiate prices with Lowe’s
on some items (unlike with Home Depot).
Even with copper selling at over $4 a pound at that time, I negotiated buying
6,000’ of their coated #14 solid
for less than 3c per foot, on 12 500’ spools. Contrast that with the #13 poly
of Wireman than I paid 13c/foot back in 2005.
No comparison!
73 and GL!
Bob KQ2M
kq2m@kq2m.com
www.rlsfinancialgroup.com
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