On Feb 1, 2:42*pm, " wrote:
On Feb 1, 11:09 am, Cecil Moore wrote:

wrote:
I don't think you will want to use copperweld of any size for open
feed line. The wire will twist on itself in an uncontrollable manner.
Even with closely spaced spreaders, it will still be a mess.

The Wireman has #14 stranded "copperweld" in the popular
450 ohm ladder-line format.

http://thewireman.com/antennap.html#balanced
--
73, Cecil *http://www.w5dxp.com

Hi, Cecil.
Yes, but this is manufactured and I thought N3QE was wanting to home
brew the feedline. I don't think one person can control two strands of
copperweld while they attach spacers!

If I could find a local source, I wouldn't mind too much on missing
out on the homebrewing :-).

But the gotcha here is that I think that what Cecil pointed to on the
Wireman website is window line, not ladder line. And after reading the
comments here I'm pretty sure that it's the webbing in the window line
that causes all the wind load, so that's not what I want.

I have worked with the stranded-copper-clad-steel wires on antenna
projects and they really are a breeze to work with. Not difficult at
all!

#18AWG solid copperweld is manageable... it's got a pretty good memory
of past curls but it doesn't take a lot of tension to make it forget.
#14AWG solid copperweld or bigger... yes, that's a chore to work with
just one conductor, and if I tried two at a time you would find me
wrapped up in a horrible twisted tangle of the stuff.

I do have a local source for stranded-copper-clad-steel and can
certainly homebrew my own insulators. Looks like the way to go!
Although the work of assembling it all makes it sound like it'll take
most of a weekend.

Tim N3QE