I have been doing this for 15 years now. Most of my radials are made from 14AWG stranded wire. This was much cheaper in the last millennium, but Menards generally has 500 feet spools of this for under $50. I put two radials into one 1/4" lug for ease of connection in the ground system. I coil up the radials in the manner of coiling up a garden hose. I fasten each pair of radials in the coil with a couple of turns of masking tape, which can be easily ripped when using. I can put down (or wind up) about 150 radials in a day of fresh air and sunshine. Fortunately, October and April are great months here for such activities - not too not nor too cold.
I have some radials which are made from left over lengths of hookup wire, between 20 and 24 AWG. The stranded ones are easier to coil up than the solid wire, and seem sturdier. I generally find that a couple of these smaller wires break each season, and critters seem more likely to gnaw on them than on the THHW insulation on the 14AWG. I have never had a problem with the 14AWG radials, and would not hesitate to buy it again if necessary. Menards seems much cheaper around here than Lowes. Terry N4TZ _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
