20 Meter "Frankenstick" Antenna

[Riverman]

Am thinking about replacing the usual vertical elements found in Buddistick antennas with a single 10' length of 3/4' Type M copper tubing.
A typical vertical Buddistick element is 9.4'. The slight increase in length won't make much difference. However, I think we can all agree that the copper tubing will be more efficient for these reasons:

1. Copper is more conductive than steel, brass or aluminum.
2. Telescoping and shockcord whips have several "connecting" points where loss occurs.
3. The 3/4" diameter of the copper tubing far exceeds that of steel or shockcord whips.

So here's my question. Will this gain in efficiency be worth fooling with? If so, I'll attach the tubing to a 4' wooden pole using hose clamps. Just beneath it I'll position a Buddipole Mini Coil (10-20 meters) resting on a typical CB mirror mount. The coil will be attached to the copper tubing using a very short copper wire. The usual elevated counterpoise wire will be used.

If the gain in efficiency is slight and a waste of time, I'll go back to watching Dateline reruns and Hallmark movies.

Jim

 

[Riverman]

Not a single thought in 6 hours?

Apparently, I’ve been blackballed.

This thread will self-destruct in 90 minutes.

 

[sp5it]

You can make it with silver, but it still will be shortened antenna. Not worth the effort IMO.
Mike

 

[AudioShockwav]

Not a single thought in 6 hours?

Apparently, I’ve been blackballed.

This thread will self-destruct in 90 minutes.

Nope, just everyone is occupied with other stuff, but they will be along eventually.

73
Jeff

 

[Crawdad]

Jim,
Aluminum is only very slightly less conductive than copper, not enough for anyone receiving your signal to notice. You may see a slight increase in <2.0 VSWR bandwidth because of the larger surface area of the 3/4" pipe. Since it's rigid in comparison to your current radiator more stress will be added to the mount at the base.

7 3

 

[Riverman]

Nope, just everyone is occupied with other stuff, but they will be along eventually.

73
Jeff

Jim,
Aluminum is only very slightly less conductive than copper, not enough for anyone receiving your signal to notice. You may see a slight increase in <2.0 VSWR bandwidth because of the larger surface area of the 3/4" pipe. Since it's rigid in comparison to your current radiator more stress will be added to the mount at the base.

7 3

In other words, it’s not going to improve performance by leaps and bounds. That’s okay. A visit to Home Depot revealed a 10’ length of 3/4” copper tubing is quite a bit more formidable than first imagined.

 

[Crawdad]

In other words, it’s not going to improve performance by leaps and bounds.

Probably not but it's fun to experiment anyway, right?

Copper and aluminum prices have gone thru the roof in the past year or so.

 

[2RT307]

In other words, it’s not going to improve performance by leaps and bounds. That’s okay. A visit to Home Depot revealed a 10’ length of 3/4” copper tubing is quite a bit more formidable than first imagined.

I was thinking yeah, if you have it laying around...why not try it. But if you have to buy it, nah. Everything has gotten so stinking expensive.

73,
Brett

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Nope, just everyone is occupied with other stuff, but they will be along eventually.

73
Jeff

In the low 70's here today. Beautiful day.....finally. It was a good day to rake the lawn and generally clean up in prep for spring/summer.

Jim......the difference in conductivity of the different metals might be measurable but will never be noticed. The same applies with the overall difference in performance. You might see a difference on an antenna range but never on an S-meter. Bandwidth? Yeah you may see a bit broader SWR bandwidth due to the larger diameter but not much. Bandwidth really starts to widen with larger conductors on VHF.

 

[Riverman]

In the low 70's here today. Beautiful day.....finally. It was a good day to rake the lawn and generally clean up in prep for spring/summer.

Jim......the difference in conductivity of the different metals might be measurable but will never be noticed. The same applies with the overall difference in performance. You might see a difference on an antenna range but never on an S-meter. Bandwidth? Yeah you may see a bit broader SWR bandwidth due to the larger diameter but not much. Bandwidth really starts to widen with larger conductors on VHF.

Thank you. Clearly not worth the time, expense and trouble.
Now, what channel were those Dateline reruns on?