One of the most asked questions when it comes to antennas is what kind of wire should I use.  The answer is as varied as the people who put them up.

Over the last 28 years I have used or have seen used every kind of wire used to make an antenna.  Just one disclaimer the information below is referring to antennas used for listening and NOT transmitting.

Stranded or Solid

I have seen both used with great success.  Stranded wire is as a rule (and we all know rules are made to be broken) easier to work with and can at times be stronger.  Stranded wire is usually more flexible so if you are not putting out a straight wire or bringing it into a house or apartment it may be superior to solid core wire.  Solid wire is at times (especially with thinner wire) easier to break.

Coated or Bare

Wire with a coating is called insulated while bare wire in uninsulated. For antennas I do prefer the coated or insulated wire. The reason for this is that coated wire can be easier to work with as if it touches something conductive such as metal it is OK. Bare wire must be kept away from anything conductive to work properly. If bare wire comes into contact with anything conductive that material becomes part of the antenna. This can ruin an antenna's pattern or worse yet a ground system. This latter matter can cause an antenna to short out or worse yet cause damage to a radio due to static discharges. The choice would be yours as the coating or insulation will NOT decrease the signals received. If radio signals can go through your brick wall the tiny amount of plastic or rubber used to coat the wire will not bother your reception.

Thickness

The thickness of wire is measured by its gauge. The higher the gauge number the thinner the wire. I have used wire any where from 24 to 16gauge over the years. Now the very thin high gauge 24 or 22 wire was used in pairs to give it some strength.  No use putting out an antenna and have the first gust of wind tear it up. Wire of 18 or 16 gauge is quite good. I often use lamp cord or light indoor extension cord wire. This is insulated and cheap to buy at any hardware store.  Hey you can be frugal and buy half the wire you need and split the wires to give you the length you need on a heavier gauge wire that is twinned like the lamp cord. If you live in areas that are subject to bad weather especially high winds or ice storms heavier gauge wire should be used so it can with stand the elements if the antenna is up in the air.

Copper vs Everything Else

In my humble opinion it matters not which you use. I have used everything from copper to aluminum to mystery metal over the years. I have never noticed any difference in the signal strength obtained from different types of wire. Go with the price on this topic depending on what you can obtain at your location.

Simple rules to follow:  

Once you pick the wire you want make sure you have thought these point out:

If a wire is going to be left on the ground coated/insulated wire is a must. 

If a wire is on snow you can use either as snow in an insulator. 

If a wire is up in the air and away from anything conductive you can use either type.

If up in the air and near or touching anything conductive you must use coated/insulated wire.

If you live in areas that are subject to bad weather especially high winds or ice storms heavier gauge wire should be used so it can with stand the elements.

OK now go out and put up something. Experimenting is half the fun in this hobby.