[Elecraft] Dipoles and Heat

[David Woolley (E.L)]

Frank MacDonell wrote:
> I am using a center fed dipole in the attic for a K3. Does the antenna
> generate any measurable amount of heat during TX? Thanks.
> 

Yes.  Subject to using suitable measuring instruments.

If the antenna is a reasonable length, a lot more heat will be generated 
in the building structure (conceivably more than 50% of the power) than 
in the antenna wire.  If the antenna is, in particular, electrically 
very short, a lot of the power could go to directly heating it.

I will also depend on the size and construction of the wire.

Why?  If you are considering the total thermal load, I think the 
building structure dissipation will be the most important factor.

-- 
David Woolley
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