Hello Paul,
Take a look at this older thread
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=14893.0

Steel wires are substantially more resistive than copper.
take care,
Dean P.

Thanks for the info guys.

I just got back from test flying my version of low drag insulated control lines.  Throttle control is awesome!! And, its so easy to add to ECL.  I'll be leaving my timer in the field box from now on.  Just the added safety factor (that emergency shut down switch in your hand) should entice everyone to give it a try.  Safe electric solo flying without a stooge.  No more smoked motors when the ESC fails to detect a stalled condition after a mishap.  Longer flight times and no dead stick landings, cool.  Thank you Clancy!

Here's the details of my control lines:  I still used my .008" braided steel control lines.  I stretched them out and loosely wound 36AWG (.005" dia) magnet wire around them (one turn every 6") then used a drop of BSI Super Gold foam safe odorless water thin CA glue every 6" or so to secure the wire to the control line.  Use foam safe glue, I read that regular CA will eat the insulation on the magnet wire.  At the ends I attached a small single pin and socket type of connector.  Any micro connector should do.  My total resistance - 31.7 ohms over 70' (35' x 2).  Voltage drop - .67 volts.  Current draw of my ESC - .021 amps.  Voltage out at the handle - 4.65 volts.  Voltage at the ESC under load - 3.98 volts.  (Yes, I have an oscilloscope).  The ESC probably is based on the old TTL voltage levels and should detect an input signal down to 2.5 volts.  36AWG wire used on 70' control lines should work OK.

I have to treat the lines a little more carefully as the insulation is very thin and easily scrapped off.  I have tested them by twisting them up a ridiculous amount and flexed the control surface up and down a zillion times - no wear detected and no short circuits.  In flight the additional drag was very low.  I'm guessing my insulated lines are about as draggy as .010" braided lines.  For larger airplanes and lines the added drag would be negligible.

Now that I know it works great, its time to get to work on making that perfect handle.

Caution understood.  Your right, I shouldn't mention anything but the safest practices.  That said, with Utronics throttle control the ESC isn't even armed until after the handle is in your hands and all preflight checks completed.  With a timer the ESC is armed as soon as the battery is connected.   I like the added safety of Utronics.