Since RF current flows only along the very surface of the conductor, the silver plated stuff ought to be very good even if a bit expensive!
Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- Ed, Some of this stuff is plastic coated steel or stainless steel, similar to a fishing leader. This could explain the difficulty in soldering to it. If it's truly not copper based, I would be concerned about potential resistive losses for long antenna runs. Is there a way to determine what material this wire is made from? Steve aa8af > -----Original Message----- > > I received lots of emails concerning my "Bead-Wire Antenna." I've > decided to post on the reflectors rather than send out to each > Individual op. > > Here's what I did to make my antenna. I went out to my local > craft store called " The Rag Shop" and bought a 40' spool of > flexible bead wire. > This stuff is very strong, has a clear tough plastic coating > over it, but won't take solder. My wire has seven strands to > it. It comes on a plastic spool that's about 2.75" in _ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com