Help, antenna questions...
thatguy
I have received so much help from you people in the past, that I thought
maybe you could help me again. I wish to build an antenna, the design is
located at: http://hem.passagen.se/sm0vpo/antennas/6dbvhf0.htm
and I have a few questions. I have built this antenna previously, but the
PVC pipe that I used as a framework proved to be too flimsy for permanent
installation, other than that the antenna worked wonderfully. This time
around I wish to do things a bit differently...
Questions:
1. Can I spray paint the antenna (so that it is not easily noticed in my
tree)?
2. Can I use 10 GA steel wire (this is what I used last time, and still
have some left over), or is another metal better (all I seem to find is
either copper or steel wire in the 10 GA size)
3. After connecting the coax to the balun, can I run it back along the boom
towards the upper and lower elements and then down the lower element? I
wouldn't have the coax touching the elements exactly, but I wanted to build
a sturdy wooden "T" shaped frame and run the coax on the other side of the
wood from the elements and the balun. I would then mount the antenna by the
wood that extends a foot or two below the lower element, thus making the
boom much shorter and less obvious.
Let me know, please. And thank you for your help.
nospam...@northcoast.com
remove "nospam" to reply
Ivan
IMHO answers:
> 1. Can I spray paint the antenna (so that it is not easily noticed in my
> tree)?
does not degrade the antenna, you can.
> 2. Can I use 10 GA steel wire (this is what I used last time, and still
> have some left over), or is another metal better (all I seem to find is
> either copper or steel wire in the 10 GA size)
Steel is probably the worst material for antenna making due to its
losses, ferromagnetism and corrosion. Copper seems to be the best one.
Brass is good in warm territories, but it often breaks when frozen.
Aluminum and duraluminum are good, only it's hard to solder them.
> 3. After connecting the coax to the balun, can I ...
Post your question to http://members3.boardhost.com/sm0vpo/ . The
author of the antenna, Harry SM0VPO, will reply to you ASAP there.
BR from Ivan
Richard Harrison
"Steel is probably the worst material for antenna making due to its
Yes, but keep things in perspective. Steel is strong. Nearly all AM
broadcast transmitting antennas are steel. Nearly all mobile whips are
stainless steel. It isn`t all bad.
Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI
Ivan
things in perspective. Steel is strong. Nearly all AM
> broadcast transmitting antennas are steel. Nearly all mobile whips are
> stainless steel. It isn`t all bad.
least certain types) and does not corrode. I forgot because here in OK
it is a bit difficult and expensive to buy stainless steel rods and
tubing. It is quite hard to cut and drill the stainless steel, too.
Nevertheless, a silver plated stainless steel might be the really
ideal antenna material. :-)
BR from Ivan
Alan Fowler
>richard...@webtv.net (Richard Harrison) wrote > Yes, but keep
>things in perspective. Steel is strong. Nearly all AM
>> broadcast transmitting antennas are steel.
Galvanised steel, usually with a heavy bare copper
cable running from the top to bottom at each corner to bond
the adjacent sections together.
> Nearly all mobile whips are
>> stainless steel. It isn`t all bad.
>Yes, I forgot about the stainless steel. It is not feromagnetic (at
>least certain types) and does not corrode. I forgot because here in OK
>it is a bit difficult and expensive to buy stainless steel rods and
>tubing. It is quite hard to cut and drill the stainless steel, too.
>Nevertheless, a silver plated stainless steel might be the really
>ideal antenna material. :-)
Forget silver plating, unless you like tearing up
large denomination bank notes and throwing them away.
Use galvanised steel wire or tubing. It works like
a charm.
regards, Alan.
>
>BR from Ivan