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Not your typical antenna question
6/6/2012 6:23:51 PM
So 3 pcs of 4ga wire each 20 ft in length fell into my truck. I was hoping to have enough for at least a 20m dipole but luckily I have enough for a 20m/10m fan dipole.
4ga is a bit extreme for wire size but it should make for a nice broad banded antenna.
So my question is this: are there any other antenna designs I should look at before I commit to building dipoles with this wire?
I definitely want to make something for 20m that'll work digi and ssb. If I could get 40m efficiently that would be a plus. I know 80m might be asking a lot for only 60ft of total wire length.
Any ideas?
73,
LM
4ga is a bit extreme for wire size but it should make for a nice broad banded antenna.
So my question is this: are there any other antenna designs I should look at before I commit to building dipoles with this wire?
I definitely want to make something for 20m that'll work digi and ssb. If I could get 40m efficiently that would be a plus. I know 80m might be asking a lot for only 60ft of total wire length.
Any ideas?
73,
LM
6/6/2012 6:43:49 PM
The difference between wire gauges will not be noticeable as far as antenna bandwidth at HF frequencies.
The difference in mechanical considerations WILL be noticeable.
IMO, save your 4ga wire for a ground system or something like that, and get some wire more suitable for an antenna to build an antenna.
The difference in mechanical considerations WILL be noticeable.
IMO, save your 4ga wire for a ground system or something like that, and get some wire more suitable for an antenna to build an antenna.
6/6/2012 6:49:54 PM
I've got plenty of 14ga. 
I figured the larger diameter would help with bandwidth and reduce or eliminate the need for a tuner.
I figured the larger diameter would help with bandwidth and reduce or eliminate the need for a tuner.
6/6/2012 7:07:59 PM
Originally Posted By Luvman:
I've got plenty of 14ga. I figured the larger diameter would help with bandwidth and reduce or eliminate the need for a tuner.
I've got plenty of 14ga.
I figured the larger diameter would help with bandwidth and reduce or eliminate the need for a tuner.
The difference in length to diameter ratio is negligible at HF.
There's no problem getting full band coverage with a dipole at 20m and possible even at 40m. 80m isn't going to happen, you have to use some kind of broadbanding technique, a very simple solution is to just stagger tune two 80m dipoles in a fan dipole.
You could probably tell the difference in bandwidth between 14ga and 4ga wire at 70cm, maybe 2m. HF, not going to matter enough to be worth the trouble.
6/6/2012 7:08:14 PM
Use the 14ga for the antenna. 4ga for a radiating element is a waste of good wire.
6/6/2012 7:44:22 PM
well I'll just put it in the wire stash....or run 20 or 30KW into it 
j/k
j/k6/6/2012 9:09:06 PM
My dipole is made out of 10ga THWN...No noticeable difference on bandwidth
Don't waste some good 'battery cable' wire on an antenna...I'll send you some 10 if you need.
Don't waste some good 'battery cable' wire on an antenna...I'll send you some 10 if you need.
6/6/2012 9:30:02 PM
You would be surprised at how small of a wire you can run RF on, the larger wire for the most part has more strength for continued use outdoors. My main antenna is a portable antenna, and wire size is a concern when you are having to roll up the radiator and radials. I used the same wire for a fan dipole I put in my dads attic for my old TS-520S. It is very small in comparison to what is commonly used for antenna's.
Keep the big stuff for a rainy day!
Keep the big stuff for a rainy day!
6/6/2012 9:49:50 PM
Originally Posted By stanprophet09:
You would be surprised at how small of a wire you can run RF on, the larger wire for the most part has more strength for continued use outdoors. My main antenna is a portable antenna, and wire size is a concern when you are having to roll up the radiator and radials. I used the same wire for a fan dipole I put in my dads attic for my old TS-520S. It is very small in comparison to what is commonly used for antenna's.
Keep the big stuff for a rainy day!
You would be surprised at how small of a wire you can run RF on, the larger wire for the most part has more strength for continued use outdoors. My main antenna is a portable antenna, and wire size is a concern when you are having to roll up the radiator and radials. I used the same wire for a fan dipole I put in my dads attic for my old TS-520S. It is very small in comparison to what is commonly used for antenna's.
Keep the big stuff for a rainy day!
This, I am currently running a random wire it is 24 guage I think, it came with a dog fence or something but it is what I had I have some bigger but hate to replace it yet since it is working. I Just worked Rudy in Austria near Venice on about 50 feet of it out the basement window and into the tree with 100 watts.
ETA: I looked it up it is 20 guage.
6/7/2012 6:46:19 PM
Hell, I've had good luck in the past using 22 guage chandelier wire on antennas.
