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Old December 24th 06, 03:12 AM posted to rec.radio.shortwave
David David is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jul 2006
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Default QUESTION - What's Your Opinion "Antenna Wire" : Solid -or- Stranded ?

On Sun, 24 Dec 2006 02:46:56 GMT, HFguy wrote:

D Peter Maus wrote:

HFguy wrote:

David wrote:

On 22 Dec 2006 19:08:58 -0800, "RHF"
wrote:

QUESTION - What's Your Opinion "Antenna Wire" : Solid -or- Stranded ?


25 g steel wire from the hardware store is very strong. Braided
chandelier wire is also very nice.

How do you maintain a low resistance connection to steel wire which is
outside in the elements?


Wirenuts with a synthetic grease always worked for me. I"ve seen solder
jobs potted in silicone. There are a number of solutions to that kind of
a problem.

The connection to an outdoor steel wire is a lot less problematic than
it would appear.


I don't think I would trust anything less than a welded or brazed
connection over the long term.


My Palomar MLB uses tinned stranded wire for the HiZ side and this
solders nicely to shiny steel. I then cover with 3M putty (aka CoAx
Seal) and some 33+. Excellent connection and quite windproof.