Alternatives to Magnet Wire - Stronger Steel
I was searching online for information on magnet wire long wire and random wire antennas and came a cross a reference to using the steel line used in shark fishing. I did a search on that and didn't come up with anything, but I did find stainless steel leader and trolling wire.
The stuff I was looking at is Surflon by American Fishing Wire. The 20lb test looks like it would be good for hidden random wires. It is strong and thin (.024"). You can get it in three varieties - black, brown cammo, and bright. I am assuming "bright" is either un-coated or clear. Black seems like it would be more appropriate for wires disappearing up in the air, though I am not sure it would really matter. As long as it isn't shiny!
Here is one vendor I found online real fast - alltackle.com. They sell a 300' spool of 20lb test black Surflon for $23. Thats not bad.
Just for reference I was looking at the #26 Silky wire by The Wire Man, which is real thin copper-clad steel stranded wire covered in a tough coating. It would be really ideal. For 300ft the price is $48, more than twice that of the leader wire. I am thinking this stuff is the same, or very similar to, the stuff used by Buddipole for their counterpoise kits on the Buddistick.
The stuff I was looking at is Surflon by American Fishing Wire. The 20lb test looks like it would be good for hidden random wires. It is strong and thin (.024"). You can get it in three varieties - black, brown cammo, and bright. I am assuming "bright" is either un-coated or clear. Black seems like it would be more appropriate for wires disappearing up in the air, though I am not sure it would really matter. As long as it isn't shiny!
Here is one vendor I found online real fast - alltackle.com. They sell a 300' spool of 20lb test black Surflon for $23. Thats not bad.
Just for reference I was looking at the #26 Silky wire by The Wire Man, which is real thin copper-clad steel stranded wire covered in a tough coating. It would be really ideal. For 300ft the price is $48, more than twice that of the leader wire. I am thinking this stuff is the same, or very similar to, the stuff used by Buddipole for their counterpoise kits on the Buddistick.
posted by Steve at
2:00 PM
1 Comments:
Keep you eyes peeled for surplus "WD-1A Field Wire". Its a two conductor wire used for field phones. Been some on e-bay recently for as low as $70 for a mile of wire, shipped.
It has a nice flat, dark gray insulation. If you have the patience to pull the two strands apart, you get 2 miles of wire.
It's three or four strands of tinned copper twisted together with three or four strands of galvanized steel. Probably not so good for RF, but if stealth and strength are more important, it is an inexpensive alternative.
73 de w4kaz
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