DX-WIRE Ultralight UL - Strong Lightweight Antenna Wire
Lengths available:
- 45 metres (approx 147 ft)
- 85 metres (approx 278 ft)
- 170 metres (approx 557 ft)
- 400 metres (approx 1312 ft)
Note: the core material has now changed from Aramid to Vectran. This stretches less, which should reduce the risk of the jacket cracking under high tension and cold temperatures.
This stranded antenna wire is supplied to us from Germany. The lightweight load bearing core of the wire is made from Vectran, which is a high strength synthetic fibre. The Vectran fibres are wrapped with six tinned copper strands of 0.25 mm O.D. The effective surface of the wire is substantially enlarged to an effective skin area of more than 0.5 mm2 in RF applications.
To make the core weatherproof it is coated with a UV-resistant black polyethylene sleeve. With a total diameter of only 1.6 mm (incl. insulation) and a weight of just 4 g/m the tensile-strength of 60 kg (130 lbs) is exceptional. Considering the copper content of 3g/m the weight advantage of the synthetic fibre becomes obvious. DX-Wire UL allows you to make extremely long LW-antennas and Beverages with minimal slack, in a way that is not possible with conventional antenna wires. DX-Wire UL is great for balloon or kite-supported antennas. Its low weight and high break-load makes it most suitable for DX-peditions.
We are often asked how much power can be run using such thin wires. In our experience, in "full-size " antennas they can stand up to 1500 Watts in normal amateur radio duty cycles. For shortened antennas with low impedances and thus high currents, heavier wires should be used.
Note that the very lightweight design means that this wire is more vulnerable to damage from kinks or sharp bends than other types of wire. For best results, handle the wire carefully to avoid these. If storing this wire on a winder, using a figure-of-eight winding pattern can reduce the risk of kinking. Also note that winding it too tightly should be avoided, as this may cause sharp bends in the wire.
To protect the thin wire against damage and kinks from wire clips, the ends should be strengthened with adhesive lined shrink tubing. This is particularly recommended for permanent and high-safety installations. Therefore we offer suitable shrink tubing as an accessory. Our 3-1mm adhesive-lined tubing is good for this.
Note that if over-tensioned, the internal fibres can stretch more than the insulation jacket. If this is done at low temperatures the insulation can crack. To avoid this , DX-wire UL should not be stretched more than necessary at low temperatures. The wire is extremely light and has minimum sag, therefore you need only a little force to keep the wire straight . Please note, that DX-WIRE UL is a product " on the edge "... It is maybe not a product for every purpose .... The wire is extremely light and thin and weather resistant (when not stretched to much at low temperatures ) We could use other insulation material, but the wire would be thicker, heavier or not so uv resistant .... therefore we keep it as it is .....
Specification
- Vectran core wrapped with six 0.25 mm copper strands (cross section approx 0.3 mm2),
- Weather-proof polyethylene (PE) insulation, 1.6 mm outer diameter
- Weight: only 4 grams per metre
- Breaking-load: 620 N (60 kg or 130 lbs)
- Velocity factor 0.97
29 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Great lightweight but strong wire
Very fast shipping from the UK. This wire is both lightweight and strong, mainly purchased for SOTA and Parks activity but tried it here at my small QTH with a wire antenna fed from the SGC-230 remote tuner and doesn't sag as much as my other heavier wire. Doesn't seem to kink as much either when winding up for transportation on the Sotabeam winders Cliff VK2NP
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Strong wire if you do not bend it
I've bought 15 meters of this wire to see if it is any good. While it is very strong, the outer insulation will crack if you do a hard bend. I've used it as a counterpoise and cracks appeared soon appeared on the insulation as I was folding-unfolding the wire. While it was probably made for aerials rather than to be used as a counter-poise, I was disappointed that it soon started to crack. Make sure it is in a straight line and only do gentle bends.
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Great product - great service
This wire is tough! Perfect for lightweight but strong DIY dipoles. Very fast delivery from the UK. The insulation has a nice 'slippery' feel to it, for quick winding and unwinding from SOTA Beams's excellent wire winders.
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Simply Brilliant
Purchased this wire over a year ago to be used on my stealthy long wire project. I live on the coast meaning that this wire has been batteted with winds directly off the north sea. The wire has withstood everything even though my installation wasn't the best. Highly recommended.
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Strong & Very Light
After reading the other reviews & contacting one writer who was as positive as his review, I bought this wire to replace an elderly 80m dipole that was sagging and causing an alarming bend on a 30' unguyed support pole. This ultralight & strong wire causes no bending and is almost invisible. I'm impressed and if I make up any more aerials, this'll be the wire I will use. Bob G3XNG / G3WTP
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Low profile and Lightweight
Excellent for stealth antennas - low profile and lightweight. Thinner and lighter than Kevlar.
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Another inverted L
I had not seen Paul J's review when I picked out this product but I have been trying out a similar arrangement using regular covered flex weave. However there was too much sag and mast pull. Now much better and also low profile. Ordered on a Friday and received wire and heat shrinks the following Monday. Despite rain, aerial was up and tested same day. Final length 88 ft (vertical part 24 ft). Also using SGC-230 to match 160-10m. 73 de Steve G3USE
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Light weight and very robust.
I am using 85ft of this ultra light wire on my inverted L antenna.the wire is coupled to my sg-230 remote tuner about 22ft vertical & 63ft horizontal.This setup makes for a very good inverted L and tunes top band to 10 mtr's with ease,the beauty of this wire is the surprising strength and it's so easy to work with,very little sagging compared to the heavy wire i previously used for wire antenna's. I can fully recommend this remarkable wire,it would be very useful in the building of large hf loops or any other wire antenna's you care to build. 73sl de Paul, M0bhn.
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DX-WIRE Ultralight UL - Review
Excellent for a permanent loop aerial. Mine is 165 feet long, around the garden, over the house & garage roofs and supported by 2 trees. It is about 25 feet high and is mostly covert. High enough that it is difficult to see. Light enough that a breakage means that if it falls, it will not damage a car parked underneath. Strong enough that a light bungee cable to each tree is enough to allow for tree movement. Where the cable is secured, it is strengthened by glued shring tubing and ty-wrapped to a dogbone insulator. Each DX-Wire end is then soldered to a 2 foot length of normal pvc covered copper wire and the soldered joint is mechanically protected by a length of glued shring tubing. This replaces an earlier aerial made with Clansman kevlar wire that came down due to the breaking of a bungee cable to one of the trees. This DX-Wire is thinner and lighter.
