Re: Cheap LEO antennas
Does anyone know if PVC (Schedule 40) can be used as a substitute for wood?
Hi joe- I made a couple of 4 foot UHF yagi's using 3/4 hardware store PVC tubing available in 10 foot lengths. Not sure if they are "schedule 40". Material was easy to work and I figure if it can handle hot water for years it should last long enough as an antenna boom. Its not very rigid so keep the length/diameter ratio low. take care, pat n2oeq
On Tue, 15 Aug 2006, Joe Kononchik wrote:
Does anyone know if PVC (Schedule 40) can be used as a substitute for wood? _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Not for a campfire.... ;-)
For VHF and UHF antennas, use the tan stuff (not sure if it's schedule 40 or not) - it's more UV-resistant than the white kind.
George, KA3HSW
----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Kononchik" kononchik@sbcglobal.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 3:44 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cheap LEO antennas
Does anyone know if PVC (Schedule 40) can be used as a substitute for wood? _______________________________________________
Joe Kononchik wrote:
Does anyone know if PVC (Schedule 40) can be used as a substitute for wood? _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
The white stuff can tend to get brittle out in the sun. Painting it will help with this somewhat. My 70cm antenna was modeled after the cheap yagi design and had a white PVC boom that had been painted gray. When lowering the mast to do some rotator maintenance the antenna brushed a nearby dogwood tree that the XYL refuses to let me cut down. The boom snapped right at one of the elements. This could have been brittleness or just the fact of where it struck. I can't comment on the tan (CPVC) pipe as I haven't used it. My replacement antenna will be using schedule 80 which is gray in color and much more rigid for the boom. 73, Michael, W4HIJ
Mike,
From an electrical point yes, but mechanical strength is poor especilly in
warm weather.
Art, KC6UQH ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Tondee" mat_62@netcommander.com To: "Joe Kononchik" kononchik@sbcglobal.net Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 7:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cheap LEO antennas
Joe Kononchik wrote:
Does anyone know if PVC (Schedule 40) can be used as a substitute for wood? _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
The white stuff can tend to get brittle out in the sun. Painting it will help with this somewhat. My 70cm antenna was modeled after the cheap yagi design and had a white PVC boom that had been painted gray. When lowering the mast to do some rotator maintenance the antenna brushed a nearby dogwood tree that the XYL refuses to let me cut down. The boom snapped right at one of the elements. This could have been brittleness or just the fact of where it struck. I can't comment on the tan (CPVC) pipe as I haven't used it. My replacement antenna will be using schedule 80 which is gray in color and much more rigid for the boom. 73, Michael, W4HIJ _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Thanks for all the input. Greatly appreciate it. I looked at the dimensional characteristics for both Schedule 40 & 80 and think that Schedule 80 won't flex as much. All I need to do now is to check availability at the local Home Depot and Lowe's. The last time I checked they had all or mostly Schedule 40 (the most common of course). Joe - KS1I
Joe, Look over by the galvanized iron pipe and fittings in the plumbing dept. at Lowe's. That's where the schedule 80 is at my store, anyway. 73, Michael Joe KS1I wrote:
Thanks for all the input. Greatly appreciate it. I looked at the dimensional characteristics for both Schedule 40 & 80 and think that Schedule 80 won't flex as much. All I need to do now is to check availability at the local Home Depot and Lowe's. The last time I checked they had all or mostly Schedule 40 (the most common of course). Joe - KS1I
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (6)
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George Henry -
Joe Kononchik -
Joe KS1I
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kc6uqh -
McGrane -
Michael Tondee