Steel core washing line antenna

[Buick Mackane]

Always wondered if it could be used as an antenna say for an EFHW for example. Its dirt cheap compared to polly weave antenna wire and looks like the same stuff. Although i have read it has a higher resistance than antenna wire. So has anybody tried it ?

[Transwarp]

With or without the clothes?

[Buick Mackane]

With or without the clothes?

Could be duel purpose Trans

[Buick Mackane]

Maybe with the right amount of Y fronts hanging on it you could get it to tune up on top band

[Transwarp]

I remember a few lines from one of Lou Franklin's (rip) CB books in which he put even a tree can be used as an antenna if loaded up with several hundred watts. Never tried it myself but ok.

[ch25]

Even wet string is better than steel wire for antenna.

[Buick Mackane]

Even wet string is better than steel wire for antenna.

Well there is thousands of hams using it lemmy. Tell us what you use instead ?

[Transwarp]

If you've got an antenna analyser it makes messing about with any kind of wire, poles, rods etc simple. Failing that just get the washing line wire and give it a try, not going to damage anything when trying out transmit on low tx power when roughed into the frequency you've set it up for. A washing line wire dipole in 30 mins - easy.

[Buick Mackane]

I have an Analyser and i must say its the best radio related item i ever bought

[Transwarp]

Bare in mind that cooper, brass, aluminium are excellent for RF conductivity, other metals maybe or no. Even stainless steel not great due to its lower conductivity though it's used /incorporated into antenna construction.

[paulears]

Hell, a friend had two miles of disused railway line tapped into for a few years. It did some bands OK and was useless at others. Crock clip and ATU and see what happens?

[Antoni]

[USELESS]
My 450 Ohm feeder has steel conductors - wondered why it was so stiff. Check with a magnet! The theory is that RF currents only flow through the skin of a conductor. The feeder wires are copper plated but the plating is very thin. I've needed to join it with solder but the solder joints easily pull the plating off.
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[KILLERPARSNIP]

Bit late to the party but I've used steel wire ( fencing and steel core washing line) and have to say I've detected no difference over any other type of wire ! All of my homebrew VHF/UHF antennas are spring steel wire and most commercial mobile antennas are anyway so it cannot be that bad !