Braided SS or Copper trolling wire

[KK4IKO]

Has anyone tried using braided trolling wire for antennas?  I saw some at my local fishing shop and wondered about this.  It is reasonably priced and comes in convenient 300' spools.  I would say kinking would be non-existent.  How is it fastened...knots or crimp sleeves?

73

Bruce, KK4IKO

[KC7YE]

Crimped, like the old telephone lines.
KC7YE

[VE3WMB]

It should work .. I would suggest trying the copper stuff not the stainless steel as the
copper would have much better conductivity.

Michael VE3WMB

Has anyone tried using braided trolling wire for antennas?  I saw some at my local fishing shop and wondered about this.  It is reasonably priced and comes in convenient 300' spools.  I would say kinking would be non-existent.  How is it fastened...knots or crimp sleeves?

73

Bruce, KK4IKO

[K1ZJH]

I'd be worried about corrosion making the braid extremely lossy for RF. The SS might be the winner in the long
run.

Pete

[K3AN]

What, bare copper wire isn't suitable for antennas?!

The bare copper trolling lines that I could find on the web maxed out at .035 inches in diameter which is the equivalent of 19 ga wire. Also it was rated at just 45 lbs. test. That's not very strong for antenna wire.