Just acquired a couple reels of electric-fence wire from someone who got
smart and got rid of her horses. Question: is this wire (seems to be
aluminum) useful for antenna applications?

--
"Anyone who likes sausage and respects the law should not watch either
being made."-- Otto von Bismarck --

On 9/17/2011 1:51 PM, Padraigh ProAmerica wrote:
Just acquired a couple reels of electric-fence wire from someone who got
smart and got rid of her horses. Question: is this wire (seems to be
aluminum) useful for antenna applications?


Sure. Especially if it is aluminum. Watch for corrosion.

John KD5YI

(Padraigh ProAmerica) wrote in news:5332-4E74EC45-1080
@storefull-3172.bay.webtv.net:

Just acquired a couple reels of electric-fence wire from someone who got
smart and got rid of her horses. Question: is this wire (seems to be
aluminum) useful for antenna applications?


Lots of things are sold as "electric fence wire" in this part of the world.

One of them is a 2.7mm diameter aluminium wire with a HT steel core. The
aluminium is sufficiently thick that it is a ver good antenna wire, it is
strong and has effective RF resistance not much higher than copper.

On the other hand, we can buy HT steel wire with a flash of Zal (Zinc-
Aluminium) plating coated then with polyeurathane. Makes an appalling
conductor for low HF.

You will need to take the effort to better describe your own wire to get a
worthwhile opinion.

Owen

It's solid and uncoated- no core. Looks like aluminum (I've worked with
stainless steel wire and this wire ain't steel). Quite flexible. And the
price was right.

--
"Anyone who likes sausage and respects the law should not watch either
being made."-- Otto von Bismarck --

I would think that if it's strong enough to hold up it's own weight
(plus a little more) then it should certainly be usable for an
antenna. Making connections to aluminum isn't exactly easy at times,
but can certainly be done. I've used the coated-steel type electric
fence wire, the hardest part about using it was the mechanical
aspects. It loves to kink. The best antenna wire is whatever you
happen to have enough of at the time, right??
- 'Doc

On Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:16:42 -0700, 'Doc wrote:

I would think that if it's strong enough to hold up it's own weight
(plus a little more) then it should certainly be usable for an antenna.
Making connections to aluminum isn't exactly easy at times, but can
certainly be done. I've used the coated-steel type electric fence wire,
the hardest part about using it was the mechanical aspects. It loves to
kink. The best antenna wire is whatever you happen to have enough of at
the time, right??
- 'Doc

They sell aluminum grounding blocks at the hardware store, basically
aluminum bars with screw threads every half inch or so. These are cheap
and easily broken into usable splicing blocks, using a hammer and a vise.

I use these for mid-air splices on my loops, and for the radial system
for my verticals. Again, remove the screws, break as needed (remember
Cinch Jones barrier strips?), good DX!

http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-...-Load-Centers-
Accessories/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbm0y/R-100173659/h_d2/ProductDisplay?
langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I tried 16 gauge Al wire and it was too soft & weak for anything. I
use it for bundling stuff now.
I would sure hate to depend on that to keep the bull next door!


On Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:51:14 -0400, (Padraigh
ProAmerica) wrote:

It's solid and uncoated- no core. Looks like aluminum (I've worked with
stainless steel wire and this wire ain't steel). Quite flexible. And the
price was right.

On 9/18/2011 4:12 PM, W8CCW wrote:
I tried 16 gauge Al wire and it was too soft& weak for anything. I
use it for bundling stuff now.
I would sure hate to depend on that to keep the bull next door!

It'll probably be okay with 50kV applied to it.

On Sat, 17 Sep 2011 20:35:34 +0000, Owen Duffy wrote:

(Padraigh ProAmerica) wrote in news:5332-4E74EC45-1080
@storefull-3172.bay.webtv.net:

Just acquired a couple reels of electric-fence wire from someone who
got smart and got rid of her horses. Question: is this wire (seems to
be aluminum) useful for antenna applications?


Lots of things are sold as "electric fence wire" in this part of the
world.

One of them is a 2.7mm diameter aluminium wire with a HT steel core. The
aluminium is sufficiently thick that it is a ver good antenna wire, it
is strong and has effective RF resistance not much higher than copper.

On the other hand, we can buy HT steel wire with a flash of Zal (Zinc-
Aluminium) plating coated then with polyeurathane. Makes an appalling
conductor for low HF.

You will need to take the effort to better describe your own wire to get
a worthwhile opinion.

Owen

"Appalling conductor"? How so? In radio school they tell us a wet piece
of rope can be used in an emergency; where does that land on the
"appalling" scale?

Missed this whn I first read it.

Seems a polyurethane coating would render the wire useless in an
electric fence use.

--
"Anyone who likes sausage and respects the law should not watch either
being made."-- Otto von Bismarck --