Reply to thread

You can use practically any wire for antennas. Anything that will conduct electricity is fair game. Guys have connected feedline to their metal raingutters and, with the help of an antenna tuner to match the impedance & capacitance, have created a transmitting antenna that way.

The hams use (me included) 14 gauge copperweld, stranded, uninsulated wire. It is stronger than regular electrical wire and can take more punishment. This is what they will have for sale at the ham stores and places like The Wireman.

Uninsulated wire is also stealthy. It will quickly tarnish and turn a dull brown which will become practically invisible at any distance. You can have this tarnished wire strung up in your yard and someone driving or walking by will never notice it.

So if you use insulated wire, you have the visual aspects of the insulation to deal with. Black may be the most concealable and you can find roll-wire in brown insulation which might be better.

Otherwise, the main drawback to insulation is the added weight. You should keep in mind winter icing ect....the more weight you have strung up, the more likely it might come down in a storm and the heavier duty your connection points need to be to support the weight.

Good luck