On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 20:28:35 GMT, zeno wrote:
Richard Clark wrote:

Black is usually indicative of carbon content; but I wouldn't let that
stop me the first time around if it was handy (pop it into the
microwave and nuke it to see if it gets hot - this is not about
microwave frequencies, merely tendency to conduct and to dissipate).

Wouldn't sticking my multi/ohmeter into the material at a couple of points
tell me if it dielectric or not? I did that and it would seem that this black
poly pipe is totally non-conductive. If it contained carbon it would be like
a composition resistor and register something (no?).

Anyway I am working on another source of rigid 3/8" dia. UV/PVC which might
work out better.

Hi Bill,

Being conductive and being lossy are not the same thing. You may have
both situations, or one, or the other; however "not being conductive"
does not necessarily mean "not lossy." The microwave test is hardly
conclusive unless you notice it heat up. Other testing is more
sophisticated.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC