On Jan 4, 9:57*pm, bpnjensen wrote:
On Jan 4, 6:32*pm, RHF wrote:



Dave & BpnJ,

It has always been my humble understanding :
That a Multi-Stranded Copper Wire where each
of the Strands has a very thin clear coating where
each of the individual Wires is separated from the
others is better than a single (1) Wire of the same
relative Size {DC Current Rating}.

"The Trick" is to get all those separate and individual
Stranded Wires in the Bundle to be 'connected*'
"Together" at the Fed-Point of the Antenna. {Joints}

* Usually this is done by Soldering the Wires all
'together' as one; with the Flow of Solder forming
an Electrical Bond between the Wires.
Soldering remotes the very thin clear coating and
allows for an optimum joining of the Wires as one.

Note : Crimping the Wires and other mechanical means
of fastening the Wires will always be something less
than the Maximum 100% Standard that Soldering the
Wires can achieve. -if-all-are-done-right-

For the same relative Physical Size Wire with the
same DC Current Handling Capabilities a group of
Stranded Wires will have more 'collective' Surface
Area for RF {Surface} Current than a Single Wire.
-roughly-

* 1 Single Wire to 7 Multi-Stranded Wires ~ 2X :
The Same DC Rating -but- Twice the RF Rating
* * Six Wires around a Center Wire

* 1 Single Wire to 19 Multi-Stranded Wires ~ 4X :
The Same DC Rating -but- Four-Times the RF Rating
* * Twelve Wires around Six Wires around a Center Wire

IMHO - For most average 'typical' 30 Feet to 120 Feet
Shortwave Radio Listener [SWL] Antennas an Insulated
Multi-Stranded Cooper Wire makes for a Good Durable
Long Lasting Wire Antenna Element.
http://www.davisrf.com/antenna-wire/.../www.universal....

-however- for Non-Typical SWL Antennas from 150 Feet
and up Copper-Clad-Steel (CCS) Wire may be the better
option for Extra Strength and Durability in a Long-Larger
SWL Antenna.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper-clad_steel
http://www.radioworks.c...
* See #511
http://www.thewireman.com/antennap.html

-about- Shortwave Radio Listener [SWL] Antenna Wire
http://www.davisrf.com/antenna-wire/index.php

there you have it : 'my-opinion' - iane ~ RHF
*.
*.

- Thanks for this.
-*Do Flexweave and the product sold by Universal
- have this thin clear coating?

BpnJ,

I have never used the Antenna 'Rope' Wire from
Universal-Radio; and it appears to be 'un-coated'.
-follow-up-check- Actually this is also Flex-Weave
Antenna Wire FW14B-100 [14 Gauge @ 100 Foot]
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/cable/4608.html
-note- FW14'B' is #14 "Bare" Flex-Weave Copper Wire

From what I have read the Flex-Weave FW14CR
is Clear PVC with a High UV Resistant Cover.
http://www.davisrf.com/antenna-wire/flexweave.php

While the FW14P Flex-Weave is Black Polyethylene
[PE] and is more durable in Salt-Air and Trees.
http://www.radio-ware.com/products/fw.htm

*IF* you are talking about the very thin clear coating
{oxidation} on each of the Wires : Then FW14'T' #14
"Tinned" Flex-Weave has No Outer-Cover {Insulation];
and is easier to Solder plus offers 'extra oxidation
resistance'.
http://www.davisrf.com/antenna-wire/flexweave.php

Basically : Drawn 'Bare' {Pure} Copper Wire has "NO"
Coating but begins to 'Oxidize' in normal air and forms
a 'microscopic' {very thin} nearly 'clear' coating -or-
the newly drawn Wire is Coated with a very thin clear
coating to prevent/reduce 'Oxidize' -or- the newly drawn
Wire is "Tinned' to prevent/reduce 'Oxidize'.

-beyond-this-call- Davis RF Co. @ (800) 328-4773

*WHY* a Clear Coating : In general the People Buying
Copper Wire like to see the Color of "Copper" : So they
know that it is Pure 100% Copper Wire.
-it's-the-'sizzle'-!-in-the-sale-

Where-as Bare Copper "Magnet" Wire is usually coated
with an clear Enamel with a Color 'Tint' to clearly show
that it has been Coated to use in close-lay Windings.
-you-can-spot-it-in-an-instant-

iane ~ RHF