Does Expensive Antenna Wire REALLY Matter?

Comments · 32

• BO

  @bob-N4REE · 1 month ago

  Gheeeeesh!   No wonder I have a hard time reaching from Florida to Alaska with 3 watts CW.  Gotta change the cables.   :)

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• MA

  @matthewbennett · 1 month ago

  I don't trust any video without an AI song at the end. 😂

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• G3

  @G3LRC · 1 month ago

  📡 Thanks for watching!<br><br>As promised, here’s the full-resolution infographic featured in the video:<br><br>👉 POTA Antenna Wire &amp; Cable Infographic⁠<br><br>I’d genuinely like to hear your experience.<br><br>Have you compared different antenna wires?<br><br>* Premium antenna wire?<br>* Speaker wire?<br>* Military-spec cable?<br>* Something else entirely?<br><br>Have you noticed any measurable difference in performance, or do you think installation, resonance and antenna geometry are the bigger factors?<br><br>Please keep the discussion friendly and evidence-based. We all learn from each other’s experiences.<br><br>73,<br>Dave (G3LRC)

• FI

  @Fillibrator · 1 month ago

  Good information again. Thanks Dave. <br>I just put up a DX Commander and thought I’d try heavier high strand wire on the radiators in hopes of better bandwidth. The cost of a 200’ roll wasn’t bad, about $40 and amazingly, i had 1” leftover after cutting to specified lengths. It did change the tune a bit so needs to come down and be trimmed a bit. I had the exact same model in the same location a few years ago and saved the analyzer results so maybe it will be suitable for comparison. Standby. <br>73

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• DA

  @davidnachbaur6805 · 1 month ago

  Back years ago. I bought a half of a pallet of 500ft spools of #14 stranded thhn for dipoles verticals and radials. Got a really great price. I have played with the flexible antenna wire. While it is great for portable work, I don&apos;t find it durable.

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• RA

  @radiotowers1159 · 1 month ago

  Nice video, 2.5mm sq. speaker wire is impressive…do you have the screwfix &nbsp;part number ?

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• YL

  @YllaStar95970 · 1 month ago (edited)

  Looking at your POTA set up now, l would keep all radials on diver reels now, deployment ease, varying tuned radial lengths, rapid deployment, more secure anchorage, less joints/ less loss+ failure points, preserving wire integrity, reduced time you are exposed to fluctuating inclement weather, the reasons can be as long as the wire being used ( sotabeams &lt; 1ohm/ 300ft).

• LE

  @less5195 · 1 month ago

  It looks if the radials are tight, My qustion is do they need to be,

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• MI

  @michaelstora70 · 1 month ago

  I keep bugging Calum about getting a DX50 distributor in the US. 135kg*/300lb breaking strength is a real sweet spot for combined guy/radials. If there is none by winter, I will probably buy Davis RF Polystealth 13 (Cu clad steel).<br><br>* I think that is about 21 stone--just kidding!

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• RG

  @RGD-Radio · 1 month ago

  Im guilty of rolling wires up :D <br>I use some old 3D printer filament reels, for my wire antenna, and another reel for my Coax..<br>Its just cheap nasty RG58 from ebay, and only gets used when im portable.. Which isnt very often..<br>So i dont really care if they get damaged :D

  1

• BL

  @Bloke-in-Stoke · 1 month ago

  Is it me or is the download link for the info-graphic in thee pinned comment &nbsp;broken? FYI - Linux Mint 20.3 Una with Opera One(version: 133.0.5932.85)

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• W-

  @W-733_KWX · 1 month ago

  Gauge 18 copper speaker wire. There you go.

  1