[GreenKeys] OT. Antenna materials

[epvgk at limpoc.com]

On Sat, Nov 30, 2013 at 05:27:16PM -0600, Jeffrey D Angus wrote:
> On 11/30/2013 5:10 PM, gil wrote:
> >Hey folks.  Question about making a dipole for 2m.  Does
> >the conductor diameter matter?
> To an extent, yes, but it's NOT that critical. Larger diameter
> elements mean slightly wider bandwidth.
> >I have seen everything from 1/2 inch copper pipe to steel
> >music wire.
> I've built J-poles with 1/2" copper pipe. Motorola uses stainless
> steel for their 1/4-wave whip antennas. I've built a lot of "Cheap
> and dirty" 1/4-wave ground planes using 14-12 copper wire.
> 
> The 1/4-wave ground plane at the house is made with 1/4"
> aluminum rod. As is the 11 element yagi for 440 MHz.
> >If you do want some thickness, I presume pipe is fine as it
> >should mostly be skin-effect current.
> Yes, but again, that isn't as critical as some would claim.
> >Does the material matter (copper vs steel vs alum)?
> Copper is good. Aluminum is cheap and light weight. Steel,
> except stainless, is a waste of time.
> 
> Jeff-1.0
> wa6fwi
> 
> 

A few years ago I made one out of 1/2" copper pipe which worked fine. 
I assume it's still up there on the roof, though I haven't looked for 
a while. The end of the cable coming in my window still seems resonant
around 2m so i guess it is, or i picked a good length of cable. :) 
Now if only there were anyone to talk to with it.