I seriously doubt if there is any shortage of copper for coax or any
other type feed line. It's probably more a matter of someone
forgetting to order stock, or enough stock. Or, like gasoline, it's a
contrived 'shortage'.

As for a 'coax stretcher', all is not lost, I have one. No, I do not
loan it out. I might be talked into selling it, but you probably
couldn't afford it, sorry.
- 'Doc