Antenna Flat Styled Wire

[Console User]

Does anyone know where you can still find some of that old 1970's-1980's flat brown two wire antenna wire that you use to hook up the antenna to the TV? I know it's not nearly as good as the newer coax cable I guess but would like to have some to make my Antenna and older tv setup more nostalgic like it was when I was growing up watching TV.

[TinCanAlley]

There's someone on ebay selling four 6' pieces w/spade ends for 2.50 w/3.50 shipping. They seem okay for indoor use.

[marty59]

Do a search and you'll come across some too. Most of the later twin lead wire was foam or heavy insulated. I prefer the cheap brown colored stuff when I can find it for making dipoles with and lead in wire repair on older sets.

[WISCOJIM]

http://www.frys.com/search?search_ty...bmit.y=0&cat=0

[zeno]

Called 300 ohm twin-lead. As said most is heavy foam lead.
A little digging & should be able to find a spool, even
the more retro thin stuff. It does have the advantage of
less loss especially at UHF, also cheaper than coax.
We used it in problem UHF installs when the customer was
too cheap to by an amp.

73 Zeno

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by zeno

Called 300 ohm twin-lead. As said most is heavy foam lead.
A little digging & should be able to find a spool, even
the more retro thin stuff. It does have the advantage of
less loss especially at UHF, also cheaper than coax.
We used it in problem UHF installs when the customer was
too cheap to by an amp.

73 Zeno

I was always under the impression that the plain flat twin was lossy at UHF frequencies, especially then wet.
Milwaukee was a UHF town from 1953, so there was a lot of outdoor antenna installations. A VHF conical and a UHF corner reflector. Two lines running down to the set. A flat 300 ohm from the VHF antenna and a tubular 300 ohm from the UHF antenna.

[Console User]

I am looking for the retro thin stuff. We used to have it up but threw it away when they went to coax cable. Don't know where to find that retro thin stuff. I can find the newer but haven't seen the retro flat brown stuff.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by Console User

I am looking for the retro thin stuff. We used to have it up but threw it away when they went to coax cable. Don't know where to find that retro thin stuff. I can find the newer but haven't seen the retro flat brown stuff.

I bought some NOS at a thrift shop. It's not the flimsy stuff. It seems to be about 20 AWG. Carol cable brand, semi-transparent white insulation.
I also picked up a B-T 300 ohm distribution amp.

[zeno]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

I was always under the impression that the plain flat twin was lossy at UHF frequencies, especially then wet.
Milwaukee was a UHF town from 1953, so there was a lot of outdoor antenna installations. A VHF conical and a UHF corner reflector. Two lines running down to the set. A flat 300 ohm from the VHF antenna and a tubular 300 ohm from the UHF antenna.

Cant speak for wet weather but 300 ohm has less loss.
Thing is you gotta be careful running it near metal. It will also
pick up interference. When using coax you also have to go
from 300-75 at the antenna then back to 300 at the TV.
The transformers on both ends added more loss, a few db
but it adds up on a long run. We were 25-50 mi from our
UHF's with lots of hills & white pines killing the signal.
Some would even top a pine for a UHF antenna tower.
The Bruins & later the Sox were on U so it was a big deal pre cable.
At the time they were selling the old ribbon cable, foam lead
which we used, a round twin lead & shielded twin lead.

73 Zeno