I'm looking to get some of this: American Fishing Wire Surfstrand Copper 1x7 Bare Trolling Wire

I'm not looking to fish with it though -- I intend to take advantage of the copper construction to build lightweight field antennas. This is the only braided copper product I can find on Amazon. Is there another economical option I should be considering instead?


What I'm looking for is info on crimping this wire. It's my guess that this would be better than tying knots in it. (I want permanent joints)


What can you tell me about achieving good crimps? I understand that I should be using copper crimp material, but beyond that I'm in uncharted water. Should I use single or double crimps?

What size for this wire?

Any difference for the 30lb and 45 lb test?

What crimper should I be looking at to make proper crimps?

What about the U or Teardrop shaped inserts that spread the load on the loop?

Don't know if you can buy collars that small, probably can, but look into aircraft cable crimpers. Should work fine. Used to do it with 1/8th AC cable from Lowes. Takes a crimp tool also.

This is an example of the crimp sleeves I'm talking about:

Double Barrel Crimp Sleeves



And the last part - I'd swear I found some small versions of the eyelet inserts for use with fishing wire. Here is a not fishing, defintely industrial example just to show what I'm talking about. (the teardrop shaped insert)

Good knots will hold.  Try fishing knots or circus hitch if the wire is difficult.

I have tied 5/8" steel wire with a circus hitch (used to secure circus tents) that exceeds the breaking strength of the wire.

FWIW, this will not be tied "to" anything. It will be a loop provided for future attachment of clips, pull ropes, etc. (I'm actually thinking of using fishing line as my pull line so I can have confidence the mounting lines will break before the antenna wire)