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

[Michael Hanz]

I was rereading the article on the corrosion pictures I sent earlier, 
and in the narrative was the note that the copper and iron were plated 
on the wood.  I had forgotten that my parents had my baby shoes copper 
plated way back in the day.  (It was apparently popular in the 1890s 
back when I was born...)  Anyway, that led me to Letter Circular LC1013 
from the National Bureau of Standards dated November 1953, entitled, 
"METHODS FOR ELECTROPLATING METALS ON NONCONDUCTING MATERIALS" (pdf 
attached).   In it they describe in detail how to do it.  So, it looks 
like you just need a plating company to restore the AN-104.

- Mike  KC4TOS

On 1/11/2024 2:12 PM, Michael Hanz 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
>
> 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
>>
>> -------- Original message --------
>> From: MARK DORNEY via ARC5 <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
>> Date: 1/11/24 08:52 (GMT-08:00)
>> To: ARC-5 <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>, mrca at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> 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
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