Posted In: Short waves
Hello,
advise what wire to use for LW type antennas, delta loop, inverted V, dipole, that is, antennas of lengths on the order of tens of meters.
The goal is to find a compromise so that the wire used is:
– sufficiently strong, especially for tension.
– sufficiently light
– affordable
– etc...
As far as I know, enameled copper wires with a diameter of about 1.5 to 2.5mm, military green PK wire, steel cables are used...
thanks for the answers
Ďuro, OM0XA
I use enameled copper wires with a diameter of about 2mm and military green and black PK wire.
I have been using this material for years, it is the cheapest solution for making a wire antenna.
Vilo, OM3CAQ http://www.qrz.com/db/OM30CAQ
The best is of course phosphor bronze, strong, also light, but not very cheap, and mainly harder to find.
In the apartment building, I had an 83 m long delta loop made of installation copper wire, 2mm, also insulated (yellow-green, but the color is not a condition :-)). It lasted 15 years and would have lasted longer, but I moved out and tangled it.
Jozef OM1CI
PK green is better not to take, it is good for connecting behind insulators, there is not much copper and that steel is not really the right choice. Better 2.5mm (1.5mm) Cu wire or that phosphor bronze.
73 Radek, OK1FHI
http://www.ok1fhi.cz/
additional question:
should I use solid copper wire or a strand?
has anyone tried which is stronger?
Personally, I think it should not matter from a transmission perspective.
Maybe when receiving, using a strand could result in more noticeable noise.
A strand, on the other hand, adjusts better compared to solid wire.
considering corrosion resistance, I would prefer to choose wire ...
However, if you are going to install the ANT for one or two seasons, it is easier to work with a strand ...
you 73
I tried something that is rejected by antenna practice. I was somehow unable to wait for the ordered phosphor bronze wire, so I stretched 2 x 19.6 m dipole from 3 mm steel plastic-coated strand. When the wire arrived, I drove and recorded the weakest beacons. After replacing it with phosphor bronze, I first tested the same beacons - the difference was only two days. At the same time of day, I then heard the same beacons on the same device practically the same. The truth is that in the middle of the dipole I use a remotely controlled professional antenna element.
personally, I do not believe that the difference between steel and phosphor bronze, or copper cable can be realistically noticeable.
I bought a CUY 4mm2 for my planned LW, i.e. a solid copper cable with a diameter of just over 2mm. I plan to stretch the length around labda/2 on the 160m band, I just have to calculate some length compromise for all KV bands and actually test it somewhere "in the dirt" with a tuner and TRX, before I stretch the antenna "permanently" on the home QTH.
Interesting solution for adapting the LW 84m antenna for 6 bands transformation
for sections of coaxial cable see here:
For a shorter period, a PK cable is also good; to reduce its bad reputation, it is good to use the green area of the dual, as it has a higher ratio of copper to steel wire.
However, it is also heavier and less load-bearing than the PK2 cable.
For LW, an excellent 3mm galvanized tension fence wire lasts almost forever.
Otherwise, for building really strong and reliable antennas, it's good to acquire AlFe rope, preferably new; today, it's not commonly used for aerial conductors.
Usually, you can get construction materials from electricians, such as connectors and large egg-shaped insulators.
For self-supporting sections up to 50m, a thin 8mm wire is sufficient.
The best is phosphorus bronze, but it needs to be installed and tied properly; otherwise, it risks breaking as it is very brittle.
I am very satisfied with the two-wire telephone cable. It should be relatively new and well maintained. How? I have it described in the gallery.
If you are constructing an antenna, a good Fe/Zn wire in PVC insulation for fencing is suitable.
http://www.retic.sk
3.2mm diameter 104m coil has a resistance of 3.7R
Classic egg-shaped types can be effectively used as insulators.
If they are not available, pieces of PPR heating pipes can be used as insulators.
It is optimal to solder a softer 2.5mm Cu litz wire to the ends to prevent the balun from breaking.
The wire is very strong and resistant to tension.
Someone may object that it is inappropriate, but a cheaper self-supporting conductor is very hard to find.
