ANTENNA CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

I use fishing poles for all my antenna experimentation.
I thought supplying the following info would be of interest
to antenna builders on this news group.
I now see fishing pole antenna manufacturing as the prime method
and not as a "make do" in place of conventional aluminum tube
construction

REASONS

ALUMINUM (aluminium for U.K. builders)
My aluminum rescources always seem to miss a required diameter.
Clamps used to secure element portions always increased susceptability to
ice build up
Aircraft style tubing increasingly expensive
Elements with electrically faulty connections.
Pre built antenna prices are now rediculous
thus new avenues are required for emerging hams.

FISHING POLE.
A 20 foot telescopic fishing pole can be used as a standard
for all types of antennas without permanent mutilation.
Cost per pole is $10 ( $2 if purchased in quantity China FOB )
Weight is 1 lb
Material fiberglass with shellac outer protection
No element clamp requirements
Taper is perfect
No ice build up.
Pre sticky coat aluminum foil rolls readily available at hardware stores.
Elements are electrically continuous as foil is applied lengthwise
Foil length does not have to be physical element length
Foil can be readily removed if required using heat gun or hair drier
Boom to mast materials need not be metallic because of lightness of element
Telescopic assemblies a breese to store.
Boom materials are more optional and plentiful
Rotor costs drop
..
LENGTH OF USE
About ten years of continual antenna experience
Temperature extremes 95 F to -20 F
Breakdown and reassembly rotations numerable.
Max number of elements used on one installation,
13 elements on a 80 foot boom.(20 metres, total element wt
was 26 lbs)

Regards
Art