W4BXI recently shared some samples of antenna wire candidates for review and discussion. I've stripped back the tough insulation on the telco wire types to reveal the conductors and check their wire gauge. Below are photos of the samples, with captions. Click on any photo to magnify.
This first photo shows two similar drop wire types, both with copper-clad steel conductors. Telco #1 appears to be 16 ga, based on my adjustable wire stripper. Telco #2 is 19 ga, based on measurement with a telco wire gauge that has calibrated openings for 19, 22, 24, and 26 ga. The insulation is tough, but manageable with a sharp knife. The copper cladding still looked like copper after my scraping with a knife.
This photo shows two identical or very similar drop wire samples. Both have 2 pairs of 24 ga copper wire. Non-metallic (probably Kevlar) strength members are located near the outside edges of the outer jacket. The wires are located between the strength members. The outer jacket insulation is very similar to the that of the first two samples.
This last photo shows two types of single-conductor stranded wire. #4 has 7 strands of 24-ga bare copper, THHN insulation that is resistant to gasoline & oil. #5 has many strands of tinned copper wire.
This first photo shows two similar drop wire types, both with copper-clad steel conductors. Telco #1 appears to be 16 ga, based on my adjustable wire stripper. Telco #2 is 19 ga, based on measurement with a telco wire gauge that has calibrated openings for 19, 22, 24, and 26 ga. The insulation is tough, but manageable with a sharp knife. The copper cladding still looked like copper after my scraping with a knife.
This photo shows two identical or very similar drop wire samples. Both have 2 pairs of 24 ga copper wire. Non-metallic (probably Kevlar) strength members are located near the outside edges of the outer jacket. The wires are located between the strength members. The outer jacket insulation is very similar to the that of the first two samples.
This last photo shows two types of single-conductor stranded wire. #4 has 7 strands of 24-ga bare copper, THHN insulation that is resistant to gasoline & oil. #5 has many strands of tinned copper wire.
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