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  Radio antennas, or aerials, are commonly used to receive and transmit radio waves in cell phones, spacecraft communication systems, wireless local area networks (LANs), point-to-point radio communication systems and television broadcasting. Radio antennas are commonly used in air but can be modified to work underground (through rock and soil) and under water.
  
  

Copper

• There are two types of copper antennas: solid and stranded. Solid copper antennas are made of a thick strand of pure copper or a copper alloy, such as hard-drawn copper-weld or copper clad with steel. Solid copper antennas are made from a single piece of copper wire and are commonly used in household electrical equipment wiring. Stranded antennas are made by twisting two or more solid wires around each other. The number of comprising wires determines the flexibility of the antenna. Types of copper-based antennas include 18 AWG (American Wire Gauge) copper clad steel, 14 AWG copper clad steel, 12 AWG copper clad steel, 16 AWG copper clad steel and 14 AWG antenna wire.
  
  

Galvanized Steel

• Galvanized steel radio antennas are made of steel coated with an additional layer of zinc that prevents the antenna from rusting, or oxidizing. Antennas made with galvanized steel can function in the harshest weather conditions and are designed to last many years. They require little maintenance.
  
  

Aluminum Tubing

• Aluminum tubing is typically used to make Yagi antennas. A Yagi antenna. or Yagi-Uda antenna, is found on rooftops to amplify television signals. It is used between 30 megahertz and 3-gigahertz frequencies. Yagi antennas are made of three elements: the directors, the reflectors and the driving element. Aluminum tubing of all sizes and thicknesses are used to make these components. Examples of aluminum Yagi antenna patterns include the 2 element Yagi, 3 element Yagi, 4 element Yagi and 5 element Yagi. Aluminum antennas are strong, lightweight and durable.