On Mon, 2 Jul 2012 14:54:38 +0000, Joel365
wrote:

I have a dipole with 134 feet of 20 gauge insulated copper wire. What
would happen if I wanted to replace one leg (67 feet) with 18 gauge
copper clad insulated steel wire but chose to keep the other leg with
the 20 gauge wire?

No effect. The bandwidth of the antenna is determined by the diameter
of the conductor. The wider the conductor, the greater the bandwidth.
The difference between 18 and 20AWG is negligible and has no effect.

However, 18AWG copper wire is not going to support itself for very
long. Copper is soft and breaks easily. The weight of the center
balun, plus the coax weight, plus any birds that might roost on the
wire, are going to break it. Please consider using heavier gauge
wire, copperweld, or at least support the center balun.

As I vaguely recall, NEC (National Electrical Code) Section 810
suggests 14AWG minimum for antennas. I'm too lazy to find the chapter
and verse.

My favorite antenna wire is stainless steel fishing line. Very strong
and doesn't rust. The problem is that as soon as I buy a roll, one of
the local hams invents an antenna project that consumes the entire
roll.
http://www.alltackle.com/american_fishing_wire_stainless_steel_trolling_wir e.htm




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