antenna question

[Revo Rancher]

Well, I just learned a lot. So my 2 cents coming from the model train world is partially right as to the effect of copper versus N-S, but how the current is transmitted certainly differs per 12rpilot's explanation. Maybe RCCA will put out an article testing for the best antenna wire someday. I personally feel that antenna and the quality of antenna material is very important. One of my outdoor activities is salt water fishing. The price between an entry level copper core marine band antenna and a N-S antenna, even mid-grade, is about double to triple, in other words, $60.00 for copper and $120-180 for mid level N-S. And boy, you do get what you pay for when it comes to marine antennas. My range jumped from about 1-2 miles on low power and 5 miles on high, to about 5 on low and 20 on high. (most antennas for smaller craft do not go much more beyond that due to the curvature of the earth and a power source limitation.) I still have my first antenna (copper core) sitting on the floor of my garage and no one will buy it from me as it basically useless.

 

[spm33x1033]

what i decided to use was 24 gauge stranded speaker wire. it is copper, but the copper is coated in nickel/silver, so i have the best of both worlds, also i have about 50 feet of it, so i am not worried about decay to the wire, also, it is 2 wires together,
ex.
| | | so in reality i have 100 feet of brand new antenna wire.
| | | thanks everyone for helping me, it was greatly appreciated. :fro:
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