Ideal thickness of wire for longwire antenna

[alpard]

I am trying to add some more length of wire into the existing longwire antenna, which seems to be doing  reasonable job.
I ordered a roll of 100m wire from Amazon as they were the cheapest for the length.  The gauge is 26AWG, whatever that means.  When it arrived, it is so thin, it is hardly visible.  But I was able to peel the plastic cover, and join to the other wire which is a bit thicker.   I am planning to add about 20m more into the existing wire.
Would the thickness matter and affect the efficiency of the longwire DX performance?  My favorite bands for DXing at nights are 49m and 60m bands.

Or the thickness doesn't affect to DXing?  What is your idea on this? 73s

[Stretchyman]

Wire guage doesn't matter other than for strength. 26 sounds a bit thin. The best stuff is hard drawn copper that wont stretch, unlike me!

I wouldn't concern yourself too much, just put up as much as you can as high as you can and away from any potential interference.

Str.

[alpard]

Thanks for your advice and info on the topic.  Great to know thickness of wire doesn't affect DXing.
The thinner wire seems to have advantages in that it is almost invisible to other folks, and XYL won't complain it is messy in the garden with the wires etc.

Many thanks.  Good DX and best 73s

[ThaDood]

Hmmmmmmmm... For receiving only, yeah, thickness doesn't seem to matter, as much. However, I've even transmitted with #26 AWG TV Deguasser wire with success. However, in theory, the thickness of a conductor helps to better broadband an antenna for use on TX'ing. My Windom is old, insulated, solid #10AWG copper wires, and, with the help of a tuner, I can transmit from 1800kHz to 54MHz.  Only thing about a bigger gauge, like #10AWG, is indeed strength, (Like Stretchyman says.). Thus far, it's held-up to many storms, high winds, falling branches, large hail stones, etc. So, it is nice to have. BTW, I used the #26AWG wire, to better hide the antenna from neighbors and the Landlord, at the time. So, ya got it, use it.