[Elecraft] [OT] Tube Bender for Mag Loop antenna?

[Fred Jensen]

On 10/4/2016 11:54 AM, rick jones via Elecraft wrote:

> Do any of you guys/gals especially in 3-land have a rolling tube
> bender so I can make my 3 foot copper loop?

I've had pretty good luck with smaller local machine shops when I've had
one-off tasks like this.  In particular, I've found that if one can't do 
it, they'll gladly recommend someone who can.  I found one local guy who 
wound an inductor for me using 1/2" tubing.  He also fabricated three 
teflon bars to support it.  I was in N. Cal at the time.

> PS I don't want to sweat solder an octagon. I'm trying to keep loop R
> to an absolute minimum.

Assuming your "3 foot copper loop" has a diameter of 3 ft, it's 
circumference is 9.425 ft.  An octagon with the same loop area has a 
circumference of 9.680 ft.  The difference is 0.26 ft [3.06 in].  That 
might not be enough to worry about in terms of I^2R loss in 1" copper 
tube.  YMMV however.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Sparks NV DM09dn

- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the Cal QSO Party 7-8 Oct 2017
- www.cqp.org