[ARC5] [MRCA] AN-104 aircraft antenna copper sheathing replacement.

scottjohnson1 at cox.net scottjohnson1 at cox.net
Thu Jan 11 18:04:11 EST 2024


Mark-

I have had dozens if not hundreds of these antennas go through.my hands.  Some of them are drawn, as you state, some are fabricated. Some are tin plated copper, some are tinned steel.

Drawing requires dies, dies are expensive and unless you are doing a thousand, you are probably out of luck.  I would start looking for a well-preserved specimen, it will be cheaper in the long run.

I once had an FAA repair station, I specialized in warbirds, fire tankers, and folks that operated former military aircraft under government contracts.  I had to do some very creative repairs, but that was in the days of the field approval by the local FSDO.

I will look to see if I have any candidates for repair, I may still have a decent mast laying around. Most of them have succumbed to old man corrosion.

 

Scott W7SVJ

 

 

From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of MARK DORNEY via MRCA
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2024 14:25
To: Michael Hanz <aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org>
Cc: ARC-5 <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>; mrca at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [MRCA] [ARC5] AN-104 aircraft antenna copper sheathing replacement.

 

I did take a closer look at the antenna shell. Looks like a copper tube that has stretched on one end then pressed either on the antenna core or a form replicating the shape of the shape of the core.  Anybody know a vendor that can do that?  The antenna I’d be using will be mounted on an aircraft, so there can be no half-way restoration measures that really would work. 

 

73

Mark D. 

WW2RDO

“In matters of style, float with the current. In matters of Principle, stand like a rock. “.   -   Thomas Jefferson 

 

Sent from my iPhone


On Jan 11, 2024, at 2:14 PM, Michael Hanz <aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org <mailto:aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org> > wrote:

 As long as that antenna doesn't spend much time outdoors, that would certainly work, Ken.  I think the original may have been a deep drawn pressing, very amenable for copper.  Even iron, which was the first  generation I-104 sheath, was ductile enough.  The difficulty is when it sits or flies in rain or salt spray.  Just something to consider.

- Mike  KC4TOS

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On 1/11/2024 12:15 PM, Ken wrote:

Mark: there is thin, pure, solid-copper sheeting available from art supply stores which would be very easily formed around a wooden core or "mold". 

 

You might consider trying that yourself, if you cannot find anyone who does that commercially.

 

The stuff is a little thicker than aluminum foil, yet strong enough to hold together well even after being worked.  

 

I would wrap it around the core, solder it up the "back-side"  and form it around the top with a small hammer, if necessary, then connect it to the cable at the bottom.

 

Ken W7EKB

 

 

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone

 

 

-------- Original message --------

From: MARK DORNEY via ARC5  <mailto:arc5 at mailman.qth.net> <arc5 at mailman.qth.net> 

Date: 1/11/24 08:52 (GMT-08:00) 

To: ARC-5  <mailto:arc5 at mailman.qth.net> <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>, mrca at mailman.qth.net <mailto:mrca at mailman.qth.net>  

Subject: [ARC5] AN-104 aircraft antenna copper sheathing replacement. 

 

Anybody know of a vendor or company that makes or can make the copper sheath that covers the wood core of the AN-104 aircraft antenna?

73
Mark D.
WW2RDO

“In matters of style, float with the current. In matters of Principle, stand like a rock. “.   -   Thomas Jefferson 

Sent from my iPhone
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-- 
Michael Hanz - KC4TOS

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