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Do insulated wire antennas pick up less static than bare copper?

loosecannon

loosecannon

Sr. Member
Mar 9, 2006
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hi all,

cant remember where i heard this, and it was a long while ago.

so, is it true?

do wire antennas that are made of insulated wire pick up less static than a wire antenna made of bare copper wire?

thanks for any and all info,
LC
 

Less atmospheric static? NO. Less precipatation static? YES. IOW they will pick up the same amount of normal static in the air like noise or thunderstorms etc but they may pick up less static from precipation than uninsulated wire. In the wintertime especially snow can accumulate an electrical charge which discharges when it contacts your wire antenna because usually the antenna has a path to ground thru the radio's circuits.
 
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While I'm sure there's some difference between the two, is it really doing to be that much? I can't honestly say I've ever noticed a difference. Of course that might be because I've never used both kinds of wire in all the different possible circumstances. I can say that if given the choice I'd rather use insulated wire. Not because of static problems but for other reasons.
- 'Doc
 
Some folks claim that the insulation adds to the weight of the wire and it cannot stand as much tension. I have found over the years that insulated wire will withstand more tension. Maybe I am just imagining it but I know I had to repair the 300 foot longwire antenna several times when it was bare and have yet to repair it now that it uses insulated wire of the same gauge. I soldered all connections good and sealed the splices with a heatshrink tubing containing a glue that sealed things really well and prevents any water from getting into the insulation which would in turn cause corrosion.
 
'Verdigris' is a particular shade of green. Comes from the color copper turns when it 'ages', weathers. Sort of an 'olive-drab' color.
- 'Doc
 
thanks for asking that WX2MIG, i was going to ask, but you took one for the team and asked first. LOL

QRN, are you sure that the reason the insulated wire antenna did not need repair is because of greater tensile strength?

to me, it seems more likely that its because the bare copper wire corroded sooner due to its being exposed to the elements.
just a thought.

W5LZ,

thanks for the input. i wasnt sure if it might mean the difference between a receiver that goes snap crackle pop, and one that has a nice smooth hiss to it.
sort of.
well, sometimes anyway. LOL
if you know what i mean.

thanks to all who have replied so far,
LC
 
loosecannon said:
QRN, are you sure that the reason the insulated wire antenna did not need repair is because of greater tensile strength?

to me, it seems more likely that its because the bare copper wire corroded sooner due to its being exposed to the elements.
just a thought.


LC
Click to expand...

Actually I think it is because it sheds water and ice better than the bare stranded wire. Everytime the old antenna wire broke it was due to heavy ice build up.The metal really caused the ice to stick.With the PVC coating it shed the water droplets better.Think about what you would rather hold in your bare hand in the winter. A block of plastic or a block of metal. ;)
 
loosecannon said:
hi all,

cant remember where i heard this, and it was a long while ago.

so, is it true?

do wire antennas that are made of insulated wire pick up less static than a wire antenna made of bare copper wire?

thanks for any and all info,
LC
Click to expand...

I have never considered this situation, but I imagine that it probably matters a lot what the insulation material is made of. I have heard that noise is proveably associated with CMC. However, I have never been able to test or prove such claims.

If true, you may try that idea and see if you can duplicate the claims that the adding the choke will make a noticable difference.
 
Dunno about difference but my doublet is built with THHN. The whole thing is at DC ground too. I live near the ocean and get really bad static discharge when certain kinds of storms blow in. This happens year 'round but is worse in the winter. I used to live inland and never had this problem. The noise blanker usually cleans up the static very well.
 
QRN said:
Less atmospheric static? NO. Less precipatation static? YES. IOW they will pick up the same amount of normal static in the air like noise or thunderstorms etc but they may pick up less static from precipation than uninsulated wire. In the wintertime especially snow can accumulate an electrical charge which discharges when it contacts your wire antenna because usually the antenna has a path to ground thru the radio's circuits.
Click to expand...

But on the other hand, most insulation these days is made from plastic, which is great for producing and storing static, e.g. rubbing a balloon on your clothes and lifting your hair with it. Wind can easily have the same effect on an insulated wire antenna, charging up the plastic coating, and eventually it will discharge into the wire. Wind causing static bulid up on plastics is well and documented.Cars for example which have plastic bonnets/hoods usually have discharge connectors on them connected to the metal chassis of the car.

As for charged snow, it could also charge up the plastic outer side of the plastic insulation until it decides to discharge into the wire and then through the rx. These are all theories of course :)
 

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