Oh dear ! $200++++ !!! I really hate to mention that the complete bike only cost me £40 5 years ago. I spent another£60 and thought I'd really bagged a bargain. I didn't realise spokes weren't threaded with a die cutting the steel but had to be done with machines costing trillions of dollars...alright, I exaggerate, but wow!
I thought I'd only asked a simple question but I obviously had no idea what I was asking. Thanks to everyone for their input, I do appreciate it.
I have built bikes, replaced spokes and trued wheels and generally considered myself fairly competent with bikes. I use this forum for information when I come across anything new and feel confident carrying out the instructions given. But it comes as a bit of a shock when I find I know very little actually about spokes... But that's why I love forums, answers are freely given by helpful folks to anyone who asks.
Sorry to go on a bit but you have brow beaten me to (happily) buy new spokes. Happy New Year